[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7698-7701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02377]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 21-40]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Hedlund at 
[email protected] or (703) 697-9214.

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 21-40 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: January 31, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN06FE23.002

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Transmittal No. 21-40
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 *...............  $ .500 billion
Other...................................  $1.185 billion
  TOTAL.................................  $1.685 billion
                                         -------------------------------
 

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

    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
One hundred sixty (160) M1A1 Tank structures/hulls provided from stock 
in order to produce the following end items and spares:
    Seventy-five (75) M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks
    Twenty-nine (29) M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles
    Eighteen (18) M1074 Joint Assault Bridges
    Six (6) M88A2 Hercules Combat Recovery Vehicles
    One hundred twenty-two (122) AGT1500 Gas Turbine Engines
    Non-MDE:
    Also included is development of a unique armor package, Common 
Remotely Operated Weapon Station Low Profile (CROWS-LP), Driver's 
Vision Enhancer, mission equipment, special tools and test equipment, 
ground support equipment, system and engine

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spare parts, technical data, publications, Modification Work Orders/
Engineering Change Proposals (MWO/ECPs), U.S. Government and contractor 
technical and logistics assistance, quality assurance teams, 
transportation services, program management, New Equipment Training 
(NET); and other related elements of logistical and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Army (AT-B-ULU, AT-B-ULX, AT-B-UKQ, AT-B-
UKX)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-B-ZZH, AT-B-UHQ, AT-B-UIZ, AT-
B-UIG
    (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: April 29, 2021
    *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

Policy Justification

Australia--Heavy Armored Combat Systems

    The Government of Australia has requested to buy one hundred sixty 
(160) M1A1 Tank structures/hulls provided from stock in order to 
produce the following end items and spares: seventy-five (75) M1A2 
SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks; twenty-nine (29) M1150 Assault Breacher 
Vehicles; eighteen (18) M1074 Joint Assault Bridges; six (6) M88A2 
Hercules Combat Recovery Vehicles; and one hundred twenty-two (122) 
AGT1500 gas turbine engines. Also included is development of a unique 
armor package, Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station Low Profile 
(CROWS-LP), Driver's Vision Enhancer, mission equipment, special tools 
and test equipment, ground support equipment, system and engine spare 
parts, technical data, publications, Modification Work Orders/
Engineering Change Proposals (MWO/ECPs), U.S. Government and contractor 
technical and logistics assistance, quality assurance teams, 
transportation services, program management, New Equipment Training 
(NET); and other related elements of logistical and program support. 
The total estimated value is $1.685 billion.
    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. It is vital to the U.S. 
national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a 
strong and ready self-defense capability.
    The proposed sale improves Australia's capability to meet current 
and future threats by enhancing the lethality, survivability, and 
interoperability of the Australian Army. Australia will use the 
enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter 
regional threats. The M1A2 SEPv3 Main Battle Tanks will upgrade the 
current Australian fleet of M1A1 SA tanks with no changes to Royal 
Australian Armoured Corps force structure. Additional M88A2 vehicles 
provide de-processing and combat vehicle recovery support for the 
Australian tank fleet. The M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles (ABVs) and 
M1074 Joint Assault Bridges (JABs) will be a new capability for the 
Royal Australian Engineers, bringing under-armor bridging and breaching 
capability, increasing the effectiveness and survivability of 
Australian Combat Engineers and providing increased mobility for the 
armored fleet. Australia 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 contractors will be General Dynamics Land Systems, 
Sterling Heights, MI; BAE Systems, York, PA; Leonardo DRS, Arlington, 
VA; and Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, AZ. The purchaser typically 
requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations 
between the purchaser and the contractor(s).
    Implementation of this sale will require the assignment of 
approximately 10 additional U.S. or contractor representatives to 
Australia.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 21-40
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer and Acceptance Pursuant 
to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex
Item No. vii
    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
    1. M1A2 System Enhancement Package 3 (SEPv3) Main Battle Tank. The 
M1A2 Abrams is a third-generation American main battle tank, produced 
by General Dynamics Land Systems. The M1A2 SEPv3 features include a 
multi-fuel turbine engine, composite armor, an advanced computer fire 
control system, separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment, 
and 120mm main gun. Extensive improvements have been implemented to the 
latest M1A2 SEPv3 configuration. These include improved digital 
systems, increased electrical power margin to support demands of future 
technologies, line replaceable modules (LRM) to reduce operational 
support costs, ammunition data link to support new tank main gun 
rounds, and an auxiliary power unit (APU). The M1A2 Thermal Imaging 
System (TIS) and M1A2 Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) 
constitute the system's target acquisition system, which, when operated 
with other tank systems gives the tank crew a substantial battlefield 
advantage. The TIS provides the M1A2 crew with the ability to 
effectively aim and fire the tank main armament system under a broad 
range of adverse battlefield conditions. The TIS can be operated and 
viewed by the tank gunner or tank commander, and is the main sighting 
system for the tanks' main gun (cannon.) The CITV provides the same 
target acquisition system as the TIS, but provides the tank commander a 
separate system that can be controlled and operated independent of the 
TIS. Australia has commissioned the development and production of 
bespoke Turret Front armor to be used in their M1A2SEPv3. This armor is 
being developed by the USG in consultation and coordination with the 
CoA to ensure that it is optimized to their perceived threat matrix.
    2. The Abrams 120mm main gun system is composed of a 120 millimeter 
smoothbore gun manufactured at Watervliet Arsenal. Gun production and 
design technology are generally well known.
    3. The use of a gas turbine propulsion system in the M1A2 is a 
unique application of armored vehicle power pack technology. The 
hardware is composed of the AGT-1500 engine and transmission, and while 
the system is not a critical military technology the manufacturing 
processes associated with the turbine blades, recuperator, bearings and 
shafts, and hydrostatic pump and motor are proprietary and therefore 
commercially competition sensitive.
    4. The Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station--Low Profile (CROWS-
LP) is the M1A2 commander's weapon station, and allows for under-armor 
operation of the weapons on the system including the M2HB, M2A1, M240B 
and M240 machine guns. The CROWS-LP is an updated version of the M153A2 
CROWS, is approximately 10 inches shorter, and offers increased 
visibility to the user. The fire control system of the

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CROWS-LP allows for ``first-burst'' on target capability from 
stationary and moving platforms. The CROWS-LP ingratiates a day camera 
(VIM-C), thermal camera (TIM 1500) and laser range finder (STORM/STORM-
PI).
    5. The Driver Vision Enhancer--Abrams (DVE-A) and Rear View Sensor 
System (RVSS) are un-cooled thermal imaging systems developed for use 
while driving combat vehicles and tactical wheeled vehicles. The DVE-A 
provides night vision capability for the Abrams tank driver. RVSS 
provides a rear view camera for the Abrams tank. DVE-A and RVSS allow 
for tactical vehicle movement in support of operational missions in all 
environmental conditions (day/night and all weather) and provides 
enhanced driving capability during limited visibility conditions.
    6. M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Vehicle. M88A2 Heavy Equipment 
Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System (HERCULES) Combat 
Recovery Vehicle is to extricate combat vehicles that have become 
bogged down or entangled, and to repair or replace damaged parts in 
fighting vehicles while under fire. The 70-ton M88A2 Recovery Combat 
Vehicle is standard equipment to de-process, recover, and sustain the 
Abrams M1 Tank.
    7. The M88A2's AVDS-1790-8CR is a unique modification to the 
standard piston engine family in the M60 series and the base M88Al. 
Manufacturing processes associated with the production of 
turbochargers, fuel injection system, and cylinders are proprietary and 
therefore commercially competition sensitive.
    8. The Driver's Vision Enhancer--Combat Vehicle M88 is an un-cooled 
thermal imaging system developed for use on combat and tactical wheeled 
vehicles. It allows for tactical vehicle movement in all environmental 
and limited visibility conditions. The DVE-CV for M88 vehicle is a 
platform-mounted night vision device that requires external power 
supply and is integrated into the vehicle. The M88 is also equipped 
with CROWS-LP (M153A2E1), described above for the Abrams.
    9. The Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV). The ABV is a highly mobile 
and heavily armored minefield and complex obstacle breaching system. It 
consists of an M1 Abrams tank hull, a unique turret with two Linear 
Demolition Charge Systems (employing two Mine Clearing Line Charges 
(MCLC) and rockets), a Lane Marking System (LMS), Integrated Vision 
System, and a High Lift Adapter that interchangeably mounts mine plows, 
rollers, and dozer blades.
    10. The Driver Vision Enhancer. Abrams (DVE-A) and Assault Breacher 
Vehicle Integrated Vision System (IVS) are un-cooled thermal imaging 
systems developed for use while driving combat vehicles and tactical 
wheeled vehicles. The DVE-A provides night vision capability for the 
ABV tank driver. IVS provides a rear view camera for the ABV. The ABV 
is equipped with the AGT 1500 Gas Turbine Propulsion System and the 
CROWS-LP described in the Abrams and M88A2 sections above.
    11. The ABV is equipped with a Magnetic Signature Duplicator which 
mounts to the forward engineering attachments. It generates a magnetic 
perturbation which causes magnetically fused mines to detonate well 
forward of the vehicle through the use of an emitted magnetic field.
    12. The Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) provides Army Engineer units 
supporting Armored Brigade Combat Teams with a survivable, deployable 
and sustainable heavy-assault bridging capability. The JAB provides a 
gap-crossing capability to cross wet or dry gaps to provide freedom of 
maneuver on the battlefield and keep pace with Abrams Brigade Combat 
Team operations. The JAB consists of an M1A2 Abrams tank hull 
integrated with a hydraulic bridge launcher system to deploy the 
Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) Military Load Class 95 Scissor 
Bridge. The JAB is equipped with the Driver Vision Enhancer--Abrams and 
the Rear View Sensor Systems described above.
    13. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.
    14. 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.
    15. A determination has been made that the Government of Australia 
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.
    16. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
are authorized for release and export to the Government of Australia.

[FR Doc. 2023-02377 Filed 2-3-23; 8:45 am]
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