Hearing Of The Subcommittee On Strategic Forces Of The House Armed Services Committee - Report On The Ballistic Missile Defense Review And The Fiscal Year 2011 National Defense Authorization Budget Request For Missile Defense Programs

Statement

"Good afternoon. This hearing of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee will come to order. Today we will take testimony on the Ballistic Missile Defense Review and the FY 2011 Budget Request for Missile Defense Programs.

"Let me begin the hearing today by welcoming our three distinguished witnesses. First, we have Dr. Bradley Roberts, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy. Dr. Roberts was responsible for coordinating the Department's Ballistic Missile Defense Review. Prior to his current duties, Dr. Roberts helped former Secretaries Perry and Schlesinger write the report of the Bipartisan Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States. Dr. Roberts holds a bachelor's degree from Stanford University, a master's degree from the London School of Economics, and a doctorate from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Holland.

"Next, Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly, Director of the Missile Defense Agency, has agreed to appear before the subcommittee to discuss his agency's programs and budget. General O'Reilly is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and has three Masters Degrees: one in Physics, one in National Security and Strategic Studies, and one in Business. As a scientist, and through his skills as a program manager of highly technical projects, he has been instrumental in the success of many of MDA's most important programs, including its directed energy work, Patriot, THAAD and the Ground-based Mid-course Defense system.

"Finally, we will hear from Dr. Michael Gilmore, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation about the operational status of our ballistic missile defense systems. Prior to his confirmation, Dr. Gilmore served as the Assistant Director for National Security at the Congressional Budget Office. Dr. Gilmore has worked in the Pentagon before, having served for 11 years in the Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation. Early in his career, Dr. Gilmore worked for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on magnetic fusion energy. He is a graduate of MIT where he earned a B.S. in Physics. And he earned his Masters and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. I want to thank each of you for being with us here today.

"As ballistic missile technology proliferates across the globe and increases in capability, the potential threat to our nation and our allies grows as well. Continued developments in both Iran and North Korea are our most urgent concerns.

"While recent intelligence assessments have highlighted the growing number of short- and medium-range missiles being developed by these nations, both of these rogue states continue to work on ICBM technology that could lead to missiles which directly threaten our homeland.

"This past September, President Obama announced his plan for strengthening missile defenses in Europe through a phased, adaptive approach to deploying defenses against the threat of Iranian ballistic missiles.

"On February 1st, with the release of the budget, the Department submitted its first-ever Ballistic Missile Defense Review. The Administration's Review established six clear objectives to guide ballistic missile programs:

"First, the U.S. will continue to defend the homeland against the threat of limited ballistic missile attack. Second, the U.S. will defend against regional missile threats to U.S. forces, while protecting allies and partners and enabling them to defend themselves. Third, before new capabilities are deployed, they must undergo testing that enables assessment under realistic operational conditions. Fourth, the commitment to new capabilities must be fiscally sustainable over the long term. Fifth, BMD capabilities must be flexible enough to adapt as threats change. And, finally, the U.S. will seek to lead expanded international efforts for missile defense.

"The BMDR also endorsed applying the new phased, adaptive approach across the board, including to the defense of South Korea, Japan and our allies in the Middle East.

"This new approach links missile defense deployments more directly to the current threat, provides for flexible responses to future threats and signals to the Russians, the Chinese and the world, that we are serious about maintaining strategic stability.

"As we all know, ballistic missile defense is sometimes a controversial subject. But I believe there is much greater consensus on this matter than meets the eye.

"In 1999, an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives voted to deploy a National Missile Defense system capable of defending the territory of the United States against limited ballistic missile attack.

"Since that time, Congress has appropriated over $90 billion for missile defenses and the Pentagon has delivered 30 ground-based interceptors effective against long-range missiles that might be launched by Iran or North Korea; 52 batteries of Patriot short-range missiles -- 44 of which are capable of launching the advanced PAC-3 missile; 2 Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (or THAAD) batteries and 16 interceptors; and 55 medium-range SM-3 interceptors. The program has also converted 20 Aegis ships to use these SM-3 interceptors.

"And, this year, the President's budget provides another $9.9 billion for missile defense programs, an increase of $670 million over the FY 2010 appropriated level.

"The consensus that paved the way for these developments is rooted in the basic principles that missile defenses should discourage rogue nations from developing threatening systems and that deployment of U.S. defenses protect us against these threats but should not create strategic instability or increase the risk of nuclear war.

"Yet a new strategy alone will not be enough. The Administration must convince Congress that it has an effective plan for ensuring that our defensive systems are thoroughly tested, and that sufficient resources will be allocated to make sure our missile defense systems are available when we need them. That said, we are eager to hear from each of you this afternoon.

"Dr. Roberts, I am especially interested in your thoughts about how we should balance our efforts to defend the homeland with the challenges of building regional defenses against short- and medium-range missile threats.

"General O'Reilly, would you focus on how the BMDR and the Phased, Adaptive Approach have modified the MDA's plans for testing and deployment over the past year?

"Finally, Dr. Gilmore, we look forward to hearing your assessment of the operational capabilities of each of the components of the ballistic missile defense system. With that, let me turn to our Ranking Member, Mr. Turner, for any comments he may have."

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