By Ann Roosevelt
The Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) and the Airborne Laser (ABL) should undergo independent scrutiny by a Federally Funded Research Development Center (FFRDC) “examining the costs and benefits of missile defense systems designed to intercept ballistic missiles in their boost phase,” the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) defense-authorization bill report said.
The study recommended by the HASC Strategic Forces subcommittee, due back no later than Jan. 31, 2010, would examine the capabilities of the Airborne Laser, being developed by prime contractor Boeing [BA] for the Missile Defense Agency, and KEI, under Northrop Grumman [NOC] as prime contractor.
The study would conduct a technical assessment on the operational capabilities of the ABL and KEI–in both land and sea-based options–programs to counter short- medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats to U.S. deployed forces, its friends and allies from rogue states, and to defend the united states against limited ballistic missile defense.
Additionally, the study should assess the two programs against non-boost missile defense systems in countering the same ballistic missile threats, and compare them with the predicted performance and operational capabilities of the boost phase missile defense systems to counter those threats. The other area of assessment is in defending United States territory against limited ballistic missile attack.
Those non-boost phase systems would include the Patriot PAC-3 system, where Lockheed Martin [LMT] is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. Raytheon [RTN] is the prime contractor for the Patriot Weapon System and system integrator for the PAC-3 program.
The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) follow-on system would be examined. MEADS is under development by MEADS International, consisting of MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin.
The study also would include the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system, with all variants of the Standard Missile-3 interceptor. Lockheed Martin is the developer and system integrator for Aegis, while Raytheon provides the interceptor.
Also, the bill points to Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, where Boeing is the prime contractor.
The study must also evaluate each system on operational issues, to include operational effectiveness. This must take into account the results of key milestone tests in fiscal year 2009 and prior years, survivability, suitability and basic considerations of concept of operations. Support, command and control, intercept shortfall, and force structure force structure requirements will be included in the evaluation.
Additionally, the system effectiveness against countermeasures must be addressed.
Cost is not ignored. The evaluation must include the estimated cost of sustaining the system in the field and total lifecycle cost estimates.
The FFRDC is to receive the “full and timely” cooperation of the Secretary of Defense and any other government official in providing analyses, briefings and other information.
The independent study would require the Defense Secretary to enter an agreement with an FFRDC within 90 days of the bill’s enactment.
As well, no FY ’09 funds may be obligated or spent for the acquisition of a second ABL aircraft until 60 days after the required report is submitted.