[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11978-11980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04142]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 20-02]


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 a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karma Job at [email protected] 
or (703) 697-8976.

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 20-02, Policy 
Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: February 25, 2020.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[[Page 11979]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28FE20.001

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Transmittal No. 20-02
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 Australia
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $690 million
Other....................................  $300 million
                                          ------------------------------
  Total..................................  $990 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to two hundred (200) AGM-158C, Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles 
(LRASMs)
Up to eleven (11) ATM-158C LRASMs Telemetry Variant (Inert)

    Non-MDE:
    Also included are DATM-158C LRASM, Captive Air Training Missiles 
(CATM-158C LRASM), containers, support and test equipment, publications 
and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, 
U.S. Government and contractor representatives technical assistance, 
engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements 
of logistics support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (AT-P-ANT)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None

[[Page 11980]]

    (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: February 7, 2020

    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Australia--Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs)

    The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to two hundred 
(200) AGM-158C, Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs); and up to 
eleven (11) ATM-158C LRASM Telemetry Variant (Inert). Also included are 
DATM-158C LRASM, Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM-158C LRASM), 
containers, support and test equipment, publications and technical 
documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. 
Government and contractor representatives technical assistance, 
engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements 
of logistics support. The total estimated cost is $990 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most 
important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this 
political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring 
peace and economic stability in the region.
    Australia intends to use the missiles on its F-18 aircraft and will 
provide enhanced capabilities in defense of critical sea-lanes. The 
proposed sale of the missiles and support will increase the Australian 
Navy's maritime partnership potential and align its capabilities with 
existing regional baselines. This is Australia's first purchase of the 
missiles. Australia will not have any difficulty absorbing these 
weapons 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 Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Florida. 
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this 
potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to 
Australia involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for 
technical reviews, support, and oversight for approximately five years.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 20-02
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 AGM-158C, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) system is 
classified SECRET. The LRASM is a non-nuclear tactical weapon system. 
It provides a day, night, and adverse weather, standoff air-to-surface 
capability and is an effective AntiSurface Warfare missile. The LRASM 
incorporates components, software, and technical design information 
that are considered sensitive. The following components being conveyed 
by the proposed sale that are considered sensitive include:

a. RF Seeker
b. GPS/INS System
c. Datalink
d. Warhead
e. IR Seeker

    2. These elements are essential to the ability of the LRASM missile 
to selectively engage hostile targets under a wide range of operations, 
tactical and environmental conditions.
    3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could 
be used to develop countermeasures, which might reduce weapon system 
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or 
advanced capabilities.
    4. A determination has been made that Australia 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.
    5. All defense articles and services listed on this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to the Government of 
Australia.

[FR Doc. 2020-04142 Filed 2-27-20; 8:45 am]
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