[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50286-50288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12953]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 22-49]


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 22-49 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: June 10, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN13JN24.015

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Transmittal No. 22-49
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 *...............  $157 million
Other...................................  $ 78 million
                                         -------------------------------
  TOTAL.................................  $235 million
 

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

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    Eighty (80) Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles--Extended Range 
(JASSM-ER) (AGM-158B with telemetry kits and/or AGM-158B-2 
configurations)
Non-MDE:
    Also included are missile containers and support equipment; JASSM 
training missiles; weapon system support; spare parts, consumables, 
accessories, and repair/return support; integration and test support 
and equipment; personnel training; software delivery and support; 
classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; 
transportation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical 
and logistics support services, studies and surveys; and other related 
elements of logistical and program support.

    (iv) Military Department: Air Force (AT-D-YAK)

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    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-D-QAR
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None known at this time
    (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: July 21, 2022

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Australia--Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles--Extended Range 
(JASSM-ER)

    The Government of Australia has requested to buy eighty (80) JASSM-
ER (AGM-158B with telemetry kits and/or AGM-158B-2 configurations). 
Also included are missile containers and support equipment; JASSM 
training missiles; weapon system support; spare parts, consumables, 
accessories, and repair/return support; integration and test support 
and equipment; personnel training; software delivery and support; 
classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; 
transportation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical 
and logistics support services, studies and surveys; and other related 
elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is 
$235 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 meet 
current and future threats by providing advanced, long-range strike 
systems for employment from Royal Australian Air Force air platforms 
including, but not limited to, the F/A-18F Super Hornet and F-35A 
Lightning II. 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 contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Orlando, FL. 
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 Australia.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 22-49
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-158B/B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) 
with Extended Range (ER) are low-observable, highly-survivable, 
subsonic cruise missiles designed to penetrate next-generation air 
defense systems en-route to target. The JASSM-ER is designed to kill 
hard, medium-hardened, soft and area-type targets. A turbo-fan engine 
and reconfigured fuel tanks provide added capacity.
    a. The AGM-158B-2 system capabilities include all the capabilities 
of the AGM-158B. The AGM-158B-2 configuration will have different 
internal components to address multiple obsolescence issues as well as 
subcomponent updates to position for M-Code and other potential 
upgrades.
    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. 2024-12953 Filed 6-12-24; 8:45 am]
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