Ballistic Missile Defense: Evolution and Current Issues
United States General Accounting Office Report to the Chairman, Committee on GAO Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate July 1993 BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE Evolution and Current Issues United States General Accounting Office GAO Washington, D.C. 20648 National Security and International Affairs Division B-223094 July 16, 1993 The Honorable John Glenn Chairman, Committee on Governmental Affairs United States Senate Dear Mr. Chairman: This report responds to your request that we provide a summary of information on the evolution and progress of the Strategic Defense Initiative program and the current issues that the Congress faces in funding ballistic missile defense research and development. You asked that we trace the evolution of the program, the role of the Department of Defense oversight boards, the investments in major projects, and the progress relevant to systems proposed for theater missile defense and national missile defense. You also asked for information on technology spin-offs, suborbital and orbital launches to support testing, and nuclear power for space uses. We plan no further distribution of this report until 10 days after its issue date, unless you publicly announce its contents earlier. At that time, we will send copies to the appropriate congressional committees; the Secretaries of Defense, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force; and the Directors, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and Office of Management and Budget. We will also make copies available to others upon request. If you or your staff have any questions concerning this report, please contact me at (202) 512-4341. Major contributors are listed in appendix II. Sincerely yours, Louis J.
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