Defense Acquisitions Missile Defense Agency Fields Initial Capability But Falls Short Of Original Goals Report To Congressional Committees

The Department of Defense (DOD) has spent nearly $90 billion since 1985 to develop a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). In the next 6 years, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the developer, plans to invest about $58 billion more. MDA's overall goal is to produce a system that is capable of defeating enemy missiles launched from any range during any phase of their flight. MDA's approach is to field new capabilities in 2-year blocks. The first-Block 2004-was to provide some protection by December 2005 against attacks out of North Korea and the Middle East. Congress requires GAO to assess MDA's progress annually. This year's report assesses (1) MDA's progress during fiscal year 2005 and (2) whether capabilities fielded under Block 2004 met goals. To the extent goals were not met, GAO identifies reasons for shortfalls and discusses corrective actions that should be taken.

Assesses the annual progress the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) made in developing and fielding the Ballistic Missile Defense System. Also assessed MDA's progress toward improving accountability and transparency in agency operations, mgmt. processes, and its acquisition strategy. To accomplish this, the auditor reviewed asset fielding schedules, test plans and reports, as well as pertinent sections of DoD policy to compare MDA's current level of accountability with that of other DoD programs. The FY 2009 assessment of MDA's cost, schedule, and performance progress is more limited than previous assessments because MDA removed key components of schedule and performance goals from its annual report of goals.

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