[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 166 (Wednesday, August 26, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52576-52577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18791]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 20-41]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text 
of an 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 20-41 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: August 17, 2020.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN26AU20.009


[[Page 52577]]


Transmittal No. 20-41
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: The Government of Belgium
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $25.0 million
Other....................................  $ 8.3 million
                                          ------------------------------
  TOTAL..................................  $33.3 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:

    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    Twenty-nine (29) All Up Round MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo Mod 0

    Non-MDE:
    Also included are two (2) Fleet Exercise Section conversion kits, 
torpedo support equipment, training and publications, U.S. Government 
and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, 
and other related elements of logistics and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (BE-P-LBH)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None
    (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: None
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: July 9, 2020
    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Belgium--MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT)

    The Government of Belgium requests to buy twenty-nine (29) All Up 
Round MK 54 LWT Mod 0. Also included are two (2) Fleet Exercise Section 
conversion kits, torpedo support equipment, training and publications, 
U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics 
support services, and other related elements of logistics and program 
support. The total estimated program cost is $33.3 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a 
NATO Ally which is an important force for political stability and 
economic progress in Europe.
    The Belgian Navy is phasing out its inventory of MK 46 torpedoes. 
The MK 54 will give them the ability to engage submarines from its 
fleet of NH-90 helicopters and the new generation of Multi-Mission 
Frigates. Belgium will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into 
its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractor will be Raytheon Integrated Defense 
System, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. There are no known offset agreements 
proposed in connection with this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor 
representatives to Belgium; however, U.S. Government Engineering and 
Technical Services may be required on an interim basis for 
installations and integration.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 20-41
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 MK 54 Torpedo is a conventional torpedo that can be launched 
from surface ships, helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft. The MK 54 is 
an upgrade to the MK 46 Torpedo, which is currently in-service in 
Belgium. The MK 54 replaces MK 46's sonar and guidance and control 
systems with modern technology. The new guidance and control system 
uses a mixture of commercial-off-the-shelf and custom-built 
electronics. The warhead, fuel tank and propulsion system from the MK 
46 torpedo are re-used in the MK 54 configuration with minor 
modifications. There is no sensitive technology in the MK 54 or its 
support and test equipment. Belgium has not requested nor will it be 
provided with the source code for the MK 54 operational software. The 
highest classification of items to be transferred by this possible sale 
is SECRET.
    2. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of the hardware and software elements, the information could be used to 
develop countermeasures or equivalent systems which might reduce system 
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or 
advanced capabilities.
    3. A determination has been made that the Government of Belgium can 
provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive 
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale is 
necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national 
security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification.
    4. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to Belgium.
[FR Doc. 2020-18791 Filed 8-25-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P