Defense Acquisitions: Assessment of DoD Efforts to Enhance Missile Defense Capabilities and Oversight: Congressional TestimonyFunded at $8 billion to nearly $10 billion per year, the Missile Defense Agency¿s (MDA) effort to develop and field a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) is the largest R and D program in the DoD. The program has been managed in 2-year increments, known as blocks. Block 2006, the second BMDS block, was completed in Dec. 2007. By law, an annual audit must be performed to assess MDA¿s progress. This testimony is based on an assessment of MDA¿s progress in: (1) meeting Block 2006 goals for fielding assets, completing work within estimated cost, conducting tests, & demonstrating the performance of the overall system in the field; and (2) making managerial improvements to transparency, accountability, and oversight. Illustrations. |
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$1 billion accountability achieved additional Advanced Aegis BMD agency approval assessment assets audit authority award fee baseline billion block construct BMDS assets budget C2BMC capability changes complete components conducted Congress continue contractors cost estimate decision Defense Acquisition deferred defined delayed deliver determine developing and fielding developmental difficult Director discuss DOD’s earned value effort enhanced established estimate example Executive Board expected flight tests full cost fully funding further future GMD element goals Group improve included increased increment initial interceptors investment issues major March MDA’s MDEB meet military Missile Defense mission nature needed officials operational test original originally planned oversight performance phase planned production progress purchase recognize recommendations replaced revised schedule Secretary of Defense Sensors significant strategy sufficient suitable and effective Support test and evaluation test objectives transfer transparency unit cost upgraded verified