HASC said Tuesday the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2018 contains provisions that would bar the Defense Department secretary to sign any satellite services contracts that pose cyber risks and permit the full funding level for the National Nuclear Security Administrationâs nuclear proliferation program for defense and other nuclear weapons operations.
The proposed bill would require an independent review of contracts that support the operations of NNSAâs national laboratories, direct the head of the Missile Defense Agency to build a space-based sensor component for ballistic missile defense and require the DoD secretary to move the procurement authority for missile defense programs to a military department once the White House submits its budget request for fiscal 2020.
The subcommittee also proposed the acquisition of 147 PAC-3 MSE missiles and additional 24 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors and expressed support to Israelâs request for the co-development of missile defense platforms.
The bill also contains provisions that would direct the U.S. Space Command to operate as a sub-unified unit within the U.S. Strategic Command and prohibit the retirement of Guidance Enhanced Missile â Tactical interceptors from the U.S. Armyâs inventory until the service branchâs secretary submits an assessment of the militaryâs capacity to meet operational requirements without the interceptors.
Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama), chair of HASCâs strategic forces subcommittee, and ranking member Jim Cooper (D-Tennessee) led the release of the bill Tuesday.