Sec. 234. SPACE-BASED LASER PROGRAM

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## SEC. 234 SPACE-BASED LASER PROGRAM ###

(a)Structure of Program The Secretary of Defense shall structure the space-based laser program to include— ####

(1)an integrated flight experiment; and ####

(2)an ongoing analysis and technology effort to support the development of an objective system design. ###

(b)Integrated Flight Experiment Program Baseline Not later than March 15, 2000, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the joint venture contractors for the space-based laser program, shall establish a program baseline for the integrated flight experiment referred to in subsection (a)(1). ###

(c)Structure of Integrated Flight Experiment Program Baseline The program baseline established under subsection

(b)shall be structured to— ####

(1)demonstrate at the earliest date consistent with the requirements of this section the fundamental end-to-end capability to acquire, track, and destroy a boosting ballistic missile with a lethal laser from space; and ####

(2)establish a balance between the use of mature technology and more advanced technology so that the integrated flight experiment, while providing significant information that can be used in planning and implementing follow-on phases of the space-based laser program, will be launched as soon as practicable. ###

(d)Funds Available for Integrated Flight Experiment Amounts shall be available for the integrated flight experiment as follows: ####

(1)From amounts available pursuant to section 201(3), $73,840,000. ####

(2)From amounts available pursuant to section 201(4), $75,000,000. ###

(e)Limitation on Obligation of Funds for Integrated Flight Experiment No funds made available in subsection

(d)for the integrated flight experiment may be obligated until the Secretary of the Air Force— ####

(1)develops a specific spending plan for such amounts; and ####

(2)provides such plan to the congressional defense committees. ###

(f)Objective System Design To support the development of an objective system design for a space-based laser system suited to the operational and technological environment that will exist when such a system can be deployed, the Secretary of Defense shall establish an analysis and technology effort that complements the integrated flight experiment. That effort shall include the following: ####

(1)Research and development on advanced technologies that will not be demonstrated on the integrated flight experiment but may be necessary for an objective system. ####

(2)Architecture studies to assess alternative constellation and system performance characteristics. ####

(3)Planning for the development of a space-based laser prototype that— #####

(A)uses the lessons learned from the integrated flight experiment; and #####

(B)is supported by the ongoing research and development under paragraph (1), the architecture studies under paragraph (2), and other relevant advanced technology research and development. ###

(g)Funds Available for Objective System Design During Fiscal Year 2000 During fiscal year 2000, the Secretary of the Air Force may use amounts made available for the integrated flight experiment under subsection

(d)for the purpose of supporting the effort specified in subsection

(f)if the Secretary of the Air Force first— ####

(1)determines that such amounts are needed for that purpose; ####

(2)develops a specific spending plan for such amounts; and ####

(3)consults with the congressional defense committees regarding such plan. ###

(h)Annual Report For each year in the three-year period beginning with the year 2000, the Secretary of Defense shall, not later than March 15 of that year, submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the space-based laser program. Each such report shall include the following: ####

(1)The program baseline for the integrated flight experiment. ####

(2)Any changes in that program baseline. ####

(3)A description of the activities of the space-based laser program in the preceding year. ####

(4)A description of the activities of the space-based laser program planned for the next fiscal year. ####

(5)The funding planned for the space-based laser program throughout the future-years defense program.