[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13259-13262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06146]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 17-41]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text 
of an arms sales notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Young, (703) 697-9107, 
[email protected] or Kathy Valadez, (703) 697-9217, 
[email protected]; DSCA/DSA-RAN.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is 
published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-
164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Transmittal 17-41 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: March 22, 2018.
Shelly Finke,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28MR18.000

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Transmittal No. 17-41
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 
36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended
    (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Qatar
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $ 1 million
Other....................................  $196 million
                                          ------------------------------
    Total................................  $197 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of Qatar has 
requested to purchase equipment and support to upgrade the Qatari Emiri 
Air Force's (QEAF) Air Operation Center (AOC), to include Link 16 
network and classified networks integration, to enhance the performance 
of integrated air defense

[[Page 13262]]

planning and provide US-Qatari systems interoperability.
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    One (1) Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low 
Volume Terminal (LVT)
    Non-MDE:
    Also included are Global Positioning System (GPS) Selective 
Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Chips, Simple Key Loaders 
(SKL), High Assurance internet Protocol Encryptors (HAIPE), Ground 
Support System (GSS) components for Link-16, as well as the necessary 
infrastructure construction, integration, installation, and sustainment 
services, cybersecurity services, technical and support facilities, 
COMSEC support, secure communications equipment, encryption devices, 
software development, spare and repair parts, support and test 
equipment, publications and technical documentation, security 
certification and accreditation, personnel training and training 
equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and 
logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical 
and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Air Force (QA-D-DAG)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: N/A
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None
    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or 
Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: March 7, 2018
    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Qatar--Upgrade of Qatar Air Operations Center (AOC)

    The Government of Qatar has requested to purchase equipment and 
support to upgrade the Qatari Emiri Air Force's (QEAF) Air Operation 
Center (AOC) to enhance the performance of integrated air defense 
planning and provide US-Qatari systems interoperability. This sale 
includes: one (1) Multifunctional Information Distribution System 
(MIDS) Low Volume Terminal (LVT), Global Positioning System (GPS) 
Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) chips, Simple Key 
Loaders (SKL), High Assurance internet Protocol Encryptors (HAIPE), 
Ground Support System (GSS) components for Link-16 as well as the 
necessary infrastructure construction, integration, installation, and 
sustainment services, cybersecurity services, technical and support 
facilities, COMSEC support, secure communications equipment, encryption 
devices, software development, spare and repair parts, support and test 
equipment, publications and technical documentation, security 
certification and accreditation, personnel training and training 
equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and 
logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical 
and program support. The estimated cost is $197 million.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security of the United States by helping to improve the 
security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an 
important force for political stability and economic progress in the 
Persian Gulf region. Our mutual defense interests anchor our 
relationship and the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) plays a predominant 
role in Qatar's defense.
    The upgrade of the AOC will support the defensive capability of 
Qatar. The proposed sale will help strengthen Qatar's capability to 
counter current and future threats in the region and reduce dependence 
on U.S. forces. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing the required 
equipment and capability into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The prime contractor will be Raytheon, Waltham, MA. Qatar typically 
requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations 
between Qatar and the contractor.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 
approximately five (5) additional U.S. Government and approximately 
fifteen (15) contractor representatives to Qatar.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-41
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 
36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex
Item No. vii
    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
    1. The Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume 
Terminal (MIDS-LVT) is an advanced Link-16 command, control, 
communications, and intelligence (C3I) system incorporating high-
capacity, jam-resistant, digital communication links is used for 
exchange of near real-time tactical information, including both data 
and voice, among air, ground, and sea elements. The terminal hardware, 
publications, performance specifications, operational capability, 
parameters, vulnerabilities to countermeasures, and software 
documentation are classified CONFIDENTIAL. The classified information 
to be provided consists of that which is necessary for the operation, 
maintenance, and repair (through intermediate level) of the data link 
terminal, installed systems, and related software.
    2. A Global Positioning System (GPS) Selective Availability Anti-
Spoofing Module (SAASM) deploys anti-spoofing measures using 
cryptography to protect authorized users from false satellite signals 
generated by an enemy. Information revealing SAASM implementation 
details such as number or length of keying variables, circuit diagrams, 
specific quantitative measures, functions, and capabilities are 
classified SECRET.
    3. Software, hardware, and other data/information, which is 
classified or sensitive, is reviewed prior to release to protect system 
vulnerabilities, design data, and performance parameters. Some end-item 
hardware, software, and other data identified above are classified at 
the CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET//RELEASABLE TO QATAR level. Potential 
compromise of these systems is controlled through management of the 
basic software programs of highly sensitive systems and software-
controlled weapon systems on a case-by-case basis.
    4. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could 
be used to develop countermeasures that might reduce weapon system 
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or 
advanced capabilities.
    5. A determination has been made that Qatar can provide 
substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive 
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This proposed sale is 
necessary to further the U.S. foreign policy and national security 
objectives outlined in the Policy Justification.
    6. All defense articles and services listed on this transmittal are 
authorized for release and export to the Government of Qatar.

[FR Doc. 2018-06146 Filed 3-27-18; 8:45 am]
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