Missile Defense Program Funding and Testing Concerns

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on missile defense on June 16, 2009, to discuss the 2009 budget request for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The hearing focused on the funding and testing of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, with Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, General James Cartwright, and Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly testifying.

Key Takeaways:

• The MDA has 14 Ground-Based Interceptors (GBIs) on contract, but would need to purchase additional interceptors to support testing and sustainment.
• The cost to procure each additional GBI is $70 million, with an estimated $3 million per installation cost.
• The 2009 budget request does not foreclose the option to buy more GBIs in the future.
• The Joint Chiefs of Staff, including Admiral Mullen, support the missile defense program and the 2009 budget request.
• The combatant commanders with missile defense responsibilities also support the program, having reaffirmed their support in the Military Deployment Evaluation Process (MDEP).

Statistics:

• 14 GBIs on contract
• $70 million per additional GBI
• $3 million per installation of a GBI
• The 2009 budget request does not foreclose the option to buy more GBIs in the future

Sources:

• Federal News Service, Inc.
• Government testimony of General James Cartwright and Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly
• Senate Armed Services Committee hearing transcript (June 16, 2009)