As this issue was going to press, initial details of President Obama’s overdue FY2010 defense budget request were being made public. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made courageous decisions to ax space and missile defense programs, which were consistently over budget, failed to meet program milestones or were supported by immature technologies that were little more than science lab projects.
We applaud Gates for increasing funding for the department’s most capable theater missile defense systems—including THAAD and the Standard Missile programs. Indeed, Gates noted, “We will add $200 million to fund the conversion of six additional Aegis ships to provide ballistic-missile-defense capabilities.”
We also agree with the secretary’s list of other budget winners—and losers. While the $26 billion transformational satellite program (TSAT) was terminated, DoD will instead purchase two additional advanced extremely high frequency (AEHF) satellites. The department’s remaining missile defense portfolio is being reorganized to better counter the rogue state and theater missile threat. DoD will not increase the number of ground-based missile interceptors in Alaska. The second ABL prototype aircraft was canceled, and the program is being restructured as an R&D effort. Efforts on the multiple kill vehicle program were terminated—but with the promise to re-examine the whole concept. In all, MDA funding was reduced by $1.4 billion.
Secretary Gates is using these decisions as the opening salvo in his campaign for budget discipline, and contract and acquisition reform. We wish him success.
There will also be a contentious debate in Congress through the fall regarding budget lines for space and missile defense programs. We will closely follow the debate and will publish congressional insights on the future of the community’s programs.
I look forward to your comments.
 Marty Kauchak, Editor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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