Sec. 237. THEATER AND LIMITED DEFENSE SYSTEM TESTING

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## SEC. 237 THEATER AND LIMITED DEFENSE SYSTEM TESTING ###

(a)Testing of Theater Missile Defense Interceptors ####

(1)The Secretary of Defense may not approve a theater missile defense interceptor program proceeding beyond the low-rate initial production acquisition stage until the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that such program has successfully completed initial operational test and evaluation. ####

(2)In order to be certified under paragraph

(1)as having been successfully completed, the initial operational test and evaluation conducted with respect to an interceptors program must have included flight tests— #####

(A)that were conducted with multiple interceptors and multiple targets in the presence of realistic countermeasures; and #####

(B)the results of which demonstrate the achievement by the interceptors of the baseline performance thresholds. ####

(3)For purposes of this subsection, the baseline performance thresholds with respect to a program are the weapons systems performance thresholds specified in the baseline description for the system established (pursuant to section 2435(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code) before the program entered the engineering and manufacturing development stage. ####

(4)The number of flight tests described in paragraph

(2)that are required in order to make the certification under paragraph

(1)shall be a number determined by the Secretary of Defense to be sufficient for the purposes of this section. ####

(5)The Secretary may augment live-fire testing to demonstrate weapons system performance goals for purposes of the certification under paragraph

(1)through the use of modeling and simulation that is validated by ground and flight testing. ###

(b)Advance Review and Approval of Proposed Developmental Tests of Limited Defense System Program Projects A developmental test may not be conducted under the Limited Defense System program element of the Ballistic Missile Defense Program until the Secretary of Defense reviews and approves (or approves with changes) the test plan for such developmental test. ###

(c)Independent Monitoring of Tests ####

(1)The Secretary shall provide for monitoring of the implementation of each test plan referred to in subsection

(b)by a group composed of persons who— #####

(A)by reason of education, training, or experience are qualified to monitor the testing covered by the plan; and #####

(B)are not assigned or detailed to, or otherwise performing duties of, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and are otherwise independent of such organization. ####

(2)The monitoring group shall submit to the Secretary its analysis of, and conclusions regarding, the conduct and results of each test monitored by the group. * * * * * * *