[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42457-42459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10603]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 22-23]


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 22-23 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: May 9, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[[Page 42458]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN15MY24.002

Transmittal No. 22-23
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 *................  $40 million
Other....................................  $ 2 million
                                          ------------------------------
    Total................................  $42 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    One hundred six (106) Multifunctional Information Distribution 
System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (5) Terminals
    Fifteen (15) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint 
Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (6) Terminals
    Seven (7) Multifunctional Information Distribution System MIDS-Low 
Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) (4) Block Upgrade Two (BU2) Retrofit Kits
    Non-MDE:
    Also included are Low Volume Terminal (LVT) Cryptographic Modules 
(LCM).
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (AT-P-LGM)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-P-LFT
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None
    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or

[[Page 42459]]

Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: April 19, 2022
    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Australia--Defense Articles Related to Multifunctional Information 
Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems

    The Government of Australia has requested to buy one hundred six 
(106) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical 
Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (5) terminals; fifteen (15) MIDS JTRS (6) 
terminals; and seven (7) Multifunctional Information Distribution 
System MIDS-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) (4) Block Upgrade Two (BU2) 
retrofit kits. Also included are Low Volume Terminal (LVT) 
Cryptographic Modules (LCM). The estimated total value is $42 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. 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 will improve Australia's capability to 
interoperate with U.S. forces and exchange secure, jam-resistant 
tactical data via Link 16. Australia will use the enhanced capability 
as a deterrent to regional threats and strengthen its homeland defense. 
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 Viasat, Carlsbad, CA; and Data 
Link Solutions, Cedar Rapids, IA. There are no known offset agreements 
proposed in connection with this potential sale.
    Implementation of the proposed sale may require U.S. Government and 
contractor personnel to visit Australia on a temporary basis in 
conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements, 
including program and technical reviews.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 22-23
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 AN/USQ-140 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-
Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) is a secure, jam-resistant communication 
and positioning system that employs a defined waveform in the 960-1215 
megahertz (MHz) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) range for packet message 
communication and 16 Kilobit digital voice and packet message 
communication. MIDS provides interoperability with NATO and coalition 
users, significantly increasing force command and control (C2) 
effectiveness. The Tactical Digital Information Link-J (TADIL-J) series 
message standard is employed by the system as defined in NATO 
Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 5516 and U.S. Military Standard 
(MIL-STD) 6016. The embedded hardware features provide communications 
security. The AN/USQ-190 Multifunctional Information Distribution 
System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) builds on MIDS-LVT's 
capabilities with the addition of Concurrent Multi-Netting (CMN) and 
Concurrent Contention Receive (CCR) functions. CMN and CCR dramatically 
expand the number of platforms and network-enabled systems that can be 
reliably included in a Link 16 network. These enhancements allow a 
single MIDS JTRS terminal to simultaneously receive messages on up to 
four nets, compared with on a single net in terminals without CMN and 
CCR, within a single Link 16 time slot, allowing a user to ``hear'' 
messages from up to three additional sources at once. Tactical 
Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) is built into some MIDS JTRS 
terminals that adds an additional advanced capability waveform.
    2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.
    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 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 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.
    5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to the Government of 
Australia.

[FR Doc. 2024-10603 Filed 5-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P