F.P. Report
WASHINGTON DC: On Wednesday Chair Jim Cooper said that missile threats are increasingly prevalent around the world. They are becoming the weapon of choice for aggressor nations. As we are seeing in Ukraine, they can devastate cities and populations. As we have learned from Israel, these threats may be intermittent but can last for many years. As we ourselves hear regularly from North Korea, Kim Jong Un is trying to threaten us with his long-range missiles. All peaceful nations need protections from these threats.
The Biden Administration understands these threats and is fully funding missile defense again this year. Layered defenses are key, whether it is our Patriot, THAAD, Aegis, GBI system, or Israel’s David’s Sling, Arrow, and Iron Dome. Civilian populations deserve protection.
I am thankful that the Next Generation Interceptor appears to be off to a good start and integrating best practices with regards to digital engineering and early parts testing, but we must continue to closely monitor this program to head off any problems.
We are late in defending against hypersonic weapons. Russia and China have both developed advanced capabilities. We need to make sure that the hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensor program is fully funded. It provides the fire-control quality data needed to intercept these high-speed, highly maneuverable threats in the glide-phase.
I look forward to hearing from both Lieutenant General Karbler and Lieutenant General Shaw on how the continued stand-up of Space Command is changing how the Department manages missile defense roles, responsibilities, requirements, and coordination, particularly when it comes to global sensor integration.
I hope that we are not shortchanging the chance for a directed-energy breakthrough because of the terrific promise of that technology. I look forward to discussing these and other issues, particularly in the closed session following this hearing.
Our witnesses were :
1. Dr. John Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy
2. Vice Admiral Hill, Director of the Missile Defense Agency
3. Lieutenant General Karbler, Commander of the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense
4. Lieutenant General John Shaw, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Space Command
5. Mr. John Sawyer, Acting Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Government Accountability Office.
