$7.8B in Missile Defense Requests for FY 2006

As Japan promises to build a new missile defense system, Pentagon leaders charged with protecting the country against a ballistic missile attack asked Congress March 15 for $7.8 billion to sustain development of the nation’s first missile defense system through FY 2006, approximately $1 billion less than the FY 2005 budget. Gen. Obering said the funding request will help develop and field the next increment of missile defense capability to improve protection of the United States from the Middle East and expand coverage to allies and friendly nations.

$1.4 billion is needed to continue fielding and sustainment of long-range, ground-based, midcourse defense components, as well as short- to intermediate-range defenses using SM-3 Standard missiles aboard Aegis-class ships. The goal is to have up to 28 SM-3 interceptors on three Aegis cruisers and eight Aegis destroyers by the end of 2007.Another $6.4 billion will be invested in the development foundation for continued testing and evolution of the system. Of that $6.4 billion, $2.3 billion will help further development, ground and flight-testing of a ground-based defense capability against the long-range threat, and approximately $1.9 billion will continue development and testing of sea-based capability. Smaller budget requests for fiscal 2006 include $521 million to execute the agency’s Space Tracking Surveillance System and Ballistic Missile Defense System radar; $680 million for rocket boost-phase programs; and $82 million to continue development of the Multiple Kill Vehicle system, designed to shoot down incoming missiles. The agency looks forward to the first intercept attempt using MKV by 2008. DefenseLink: DoD Seeks Billions for Missile Defense Program. See also the Missile Defense Agency web site.