[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 78 (Monday, April 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24768-24770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08578]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 21-65]


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 21-65 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: April 19, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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Transmittal No. 21-65
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 France
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *...............  $ .848 billion
                                         -------------------------------
Other...................................  $ .473 billion
  TOTAL.................................  $1.321 billion
 

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

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    One (1) Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), 2 Launcher 
Configuration
    One (1) Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), 3 Engine Configuration
Non-MDE:
    Also included are land-based testing and test spares; shipboard 
install; testing and certification support; shipboard spares; peculiar 
support equipment; government furnished equipment; multi-purpose 
reconfigurable training system; operator and maintainer training; 
integrated electronic technical manuals; drawings and interface control 
documents; technical assistance; contractor engineering technical 
services; and other related

[[Page 24770]]

elements of logistical and program support.

    (iv) Military Department: Navy (FR-P-LID)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FR-P-LIE, FR-P-GAG, FR-P-GXG
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None known
    (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: December 21, 2021
    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

France--Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced 
Arresting Gear (AAG)

    The Government of France has requested to buy one (1) 
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), 2 launcher 
configuration; and one (1) Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), 3 engine 
configuration. Also included are land-based testing and test spares; 
shipboard install; testing and certification support; shipboard spares; 
peculiar support equipment; government furnished equipment; multi-
purpose reconfigurable training system; operator and maintainer 
training; integrated electronic technical manuals; drawings and 
interface control documents; technical assistance; contractor 
engineering technical services; and other related elements of 
logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $1.321 
billion.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security of the United States by helping to improve security of a NATO 
ally which is an important force for political stability and economic 
progress in Europe.
    The proposed sale will result in continuation of interoperability 
between the United States and France. EMALS and AAG will be 
incorporated in France's next-generation aircraft carrier program. 
France 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 prime contractors will be General Atomics-Electromagnetic 
Systems Group, San Diego, CA; and Huntington Ingalls Industries, 
Newport News, VA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in 
conjunction with this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 
approximately (40) U.S. Government and contractor representatives to 
France for 10 weeks per year in calendar years 2033-2038, to support 
shipboard system installation, commissioning, certification, aircraft 
compatibility testing, flight deck certification and sea trials.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 21-65
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. Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System/Advanced Arresting Gear 
(EMALS/AAG) are two separate but complementary systems that enhance 
operational capability and improve maintenance and logistics support 
onboard conventional catapult and arresting gear (CATOBAR) aircraft 
carriers.
    2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
components, and services included in this potential sale is 
UNCLASSIFIED.
    3. If a technologically advanced adversary obtains knowledge of the 
specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used 
to develop countermeasures or equivalent systems that 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 France can provide 
substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive 
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This proposed sale is 
necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national 
security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification.
    5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to the Government of 
France.

[FR Doc. 2023-08578 Filed 4-21-23; 8:45 am]
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