deployment in 2030 timeframe.
The Missile Defense Review stated these priorities and objectives:
Deploy additional land- and sea-based missile defense systems
n(Yellow) This objective is being partially fulfilled. One Aegis ship, the USS Paul Ignatius, has been commissioned since the MDR was published. No new purchases of Patriot or THAAD systems. Additional interceptors for Aegis, Patriot, and THAAD have been purchased. Additional 20 GBIs have been delayed to allow for the development of a next generation GBI for deployment in 2030 timeframe.
Integrate regional missile defenses with attack operations
n(Green) This objective is being fulfilled. There has been some progress on offense/defense integration since the MDR's reveal.
Tailor our regional missile defenses to support the security of our allies and partners.
n(Green) This objective is being fulfilled. International live fire exercises with partners have been conducted to ensure interoperability. THAAD deployments to Israel and Romania, and additional Patriot deployments to the Middle East. The JEON in Korea and cooperation with GCC members for a 360 degree defense capability.
Continue to streamline and refine the current flexible acquisition authorities used to develop, test, and field missile defenses while ensuring rigorous testing.
n(Yellow)This objective is being partially fulfilled. No new systems have been developed, tested, or fielded since the MDR's publishing. The RKV program has been canceled to allow for the development of a next generation GBI. Space Development Agency (SDA) established with intent for faster acquisition of space capabilities, but outcome is still to be determined.
n(Yellow) The Army has not developed a credible cruise missile defense capability to provide defense for key logistical hubs and for the maneuvering unit. Only the National Capital Region (NCR) and Aegis ships have a credible cruise missile defense capability.
Strengthen regional missile defense architectures in Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and encourage allies and partners to share more widely the responsibility for our common defense against missile attacks.
n(Yellow) This objective is being partially fulfilled. Several arms sales purchases, such as Saudi Arabia acquiring THAAD, have been announced. Again, THAAD deployments to Israel and Romania, and additional Patriot deployments to Middle East. Increased focus on defense of Guam. Expanding U.S. and Japan cooperation on the jointly developed SM-3 Block IIA interceptor.
Field interoperable missile defenses and integrate them where feasible with allied and partner missile defenses to enhance the effectiveness of our defenses against ballistic and cruise missile attacks.
n(Green) This objective is being fulfilled. Temporary deployments of THAAD to Romania and Israel, along with more permanent deployments to the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and European theaters have bolstered defenses. Test of Israel's Arrow-3 using TPY-2 radar in Alaska. Further development and increased integration of lower layer missile defense systems into Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC).
Increase capacity of GMD system and homeland defense.
n(Yellow) This objective is being partially fulfilled. It is uncertain when the additional ground-based interceptors for GMD will be deployed after the cancelation of the RKV and the start to develop a next generation GBI. RKV program was terminated and development of a next generation GBI has been started, but speed of relevancy is an issue. SM-3 Block IIA will be tested against an ICBM target in 2020 to prove out its ability to be an underlayer to current GMD capacity. Development of a boost-phase intercept (BPI) layer would also increase defense capacity for both homeland and regional defense.
Increase capability of GMD system
n(Green) This objective is being fulfilled. The redesigned kill vehicle (RKV) program was terminated on August 22nd. Process will be started on the development of a next generation GBI.
Field a Space-Based Kill Assessment capability
n(Green) This objective is being fulfilled. The SKA is still in the experimental phase and has not been operationally deployed. In FY 2020 MDA "will focus on steps necessary to potentially add the SKA system to the operational BMDS."
Deploy a new missile tracking and discrimination sensors in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific region.
n(Green) This objective is being fulfilled. LRDR construction continues in Alaska with initial fielding in 2020 and operational fielding in 2023. Plans for two Homeland Defense Radars (HDR), which will be smaller versions of the LRDR, located in Hawaii and an undisclosed location in the Pacific. The HDR-Hawaii radar is expected to start construction in FY2021 and initial fielding in FY2023. The HDR-Pacific radar is expected to be fielded in 2026.
Bolster the National Capital Region's defenses against cruise missiles
n(Yellow) This objective is being partially fulfilled. Homeland cruise missile defense (HLD-CMD) is forthcoming.
Improve and adapt existing missile defense systems
n(Red) This objective has not been fulfilled. No significant progress has been made at adapting current capabilities for emerging threats.
Make significant progress on pursuing new missile defense capabilities
n(Yellow) This objective is being partially fulfilled. Funding has prioritized increasing capacity of current system and not towards development of new systems. Plans to develop a next generation GBI has been announced. A new air-to-air kinetic interceptor for boost-phase intercept. MDA is developing operational prototypes for Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS). The Space Development Agency (SDA) is going to build out the architecture.
Improve U.S. early warning system to combat against advanced threats
n(Yellow) This objective is being partially fulfilled. Sensor systems for emerging threats have not been developed, especially in regard to the hypersonic threat.
We are making significant progress in accomplishing the challenging task of defending our nation against ballistic and cruise missile threats. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have personally guided the development and designation of a Combatant Command for Space and they are continuing to aggressively drive the evolution of the SDA and for a Space Force. The President remains consistent in his demand for allied burden sharing and increased defense spending. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is challenging and addressing the great power and strategic threats to our country as articulated in the National Defense Strategy. Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Mike Griffin, is leading with courage by canceling the RKV and striving to be more efficient, more technically capable, and to accelerate the acquisition process. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, John Rood, is leading with the implementation of the MDR and improving it. MDA Director, Vice Admiral Jon Hill, is driving technical solutions to complex missile defense challenges.
The success of the President's National Security Policy on missile defense and the Secretary of Defense's MDR is not measured simply by examining spending levels or about ensuring we spend more money on missile defense, but rather it is about ensuring that we spend the right money, focused in the right way, looking for efficiency and effectiveness across the domains, services, and with our allies.
An honest assessment of our missile defense efforts must conclude that despite a number of successes, there remains inconsistent progress in achieving technical solutions and in integrating our missile defense forces; and in missile defense you are only as strong as your weakest link. To have credible missile defense, the reds need to move to yellow, and the yellows to green.