Missile defense testing requirements

(a) In general The Secretary and the Program Manager shall ensure that a robust testing regime is established for all kinetic and nonkinetic interceptors or similar systems throughout the system’s lifecycle. To the maximum extent practicable, testing shall include execution of end-to-end missile defense detection, tracking, and destruction techniques that exercise multiple components of the Golden Dome system. (b) Testing schedule (1) In general In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary and the Program Manager shall ensure that, not later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a demanding testing cadence begins, commencing with a virtual exercise commencing on or before the date that is 540 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Test plans Not later than 90 days before carrying out a test under this section, the Secretary and the Program Manager shall present to the congressional defense committees a detailed plan for the test. (3) Briefings In any case in which the Program Manager fails to conduct a test under this section in accordance with a timeline specified in this section, the Program Manager shall provide the applicable subcommittees of the congressional defense committees an in-person briefing in each month for with the test is delayed. (c) Live-fire exercise requirement At a minimum, kinetic and nonkinetic systems deemed to be mission essential by the Secretary to the capabilities of Golden Dome shall be tested on a semiannual basis in a live-fire exercise, starting after the virtual test described in subsection (b)(1). (d) Participants (1) Required participation Each exercise under this section shall include the following participants: (A) The Program Manager. (B) A representative from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. (C) A representative from each of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force. (D) A representative from the National Security Agency. (E) Representative from North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) or United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). (F) A representative from Indo-Pacific Command. (2) Invited for participation For each exercise under this section, the Program Manager shall invite the participation of the following: (A) A representative from the Coast Guard. (B) A representative from the Federal Aviation Administration. (C) A representative from the congressional defense committees. (e) Waivers (1) In general Pursuant to a request submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (2), the Secretary may waive the requirement in subsection (b) for an individual system. (2) Requests The Program Manager may submit to the Secretary a request for a waiver of the requirement in subsection (b) for an individual system. (3) Congressional notification Not later than 14 days after granting a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide the congressional defense committees an in-person briefing of the waiver with a detailed explanation of the reasons for the decision of the Secretary to grant the waiver. (f) Annual reports Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the heads of such government agencies as the Secretary considers relevant, submit to the congressional defense committees a report detailing key regulations preventing rapid, iterative testing of systems vital to Golden Dome. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) The term Golden Dome shall means the holistic missile defense architecture described in this section. (2) The term missile means a ballistic, hypersonic, cruise, hypersonic cruise, or loitering munition. (3) The term Program Manager means the Golden Dome Direct Report Program Manager. (4) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Defense.