Kinetic Energy Interceptor Kei

Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation: Analysis of FY 2010 ...

By Travis Sharp [ contact information ]

October 21, 2009

On October 7, a House-Senate conference committee finalized the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Defense Authorization bill. The conference bill, which reconciles differences between the separate House- and Senate-passed bills, must now return to both houses for final approval before being submitted to President Obama for signature or veto. The House passed the conference bill on October 8. The Senate is expected to follow suit soon.

The conference bill authorizes $550.2 billion for the “050” national security budget (i.e. funding for DOD, nuclear weapons, and related defense activities) and $130 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan, which adds up to $680.2 billion in total funding, the same amount requested by the Obama administration.

For more information, see these Center analyses:

FY 2010 Request: February “Topline” – May “Full Request”
FY 2010 Authorization: House – Senate
FY 2010 Appropriations: House - Senate

Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction – Authorizes $424.1 million, $20 million above the administration’s request, for Nunn-Lugar. The conference’s increased level of funding is still less than the annual average during the Bush administration.

Missile Defense – Upholds the administration’s termination of the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV), Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), and the second Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft; authorizes up to $309 million from FY 2009 and FY 2010 funds, including $23 million to increase the SM-3 missile inventory from 133 to 329, for the administration’s reconfigured European missile defense system so long as the Pentagon demonstrates that the system is operationally- and cost-effective.

F-22 Fighter Aircraft – Upholds the Senate’s decision not to include funding for procurement of additional F-22 fighters.

Joint Strike Fighter Alternate Engine – Adds $430 million in unrequested research and development funding and $130 million in unrequested procurement funding for the Alternate Engine.

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle – Authorizes $6.7 billion, $1.2 billion above the administration’s request, for the MRAP all-terrain variant in order to meet a requirement that has jumped from 2,080 to 6,466 vehicles and to “increase tactical mobility and maneuverability in Afghanistan.

Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense: Background and Issues for Congress

Defense acquisitions assessments of selected major weapon programs : report to congressional committees.

House Reports Nos. 756-772

Missile Defense, Actions Are Needed To Enhance Testing And Accountability

Defense acquisitions status of Ballistic Missile Defense Program in 2004 : report to congressional committees.