Alternative programs to expand inventory of air defense interceptors

(a) Alternative programs required The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall explore, establish, and carry out efforts to increase the inventory of air defense interceptors by pursuing each of the following pathways: (1) Cost-reduction initiatives for existing missile systems, including value engineering, design-for-manufacturability improvements, and supply-chain efficiencies. (2) Delivery of technical data packages on a contract-manufacturing basis to additional manufacturers, including manufacturers in the commercial sector, consistent with applicable technical data rights or agreements with the technical data owners. (3) Sourcing of interceptors from allies and partners and the exploration of opportunities to establish or expand domestic production lines for such interceptors, including through co-production, licensed manufacturing, or foreign military sales arrangements. (4) Performance of market research across industry and the Department of Defense science and technology reinvention laboratories to identify critical components for air defense interceptors and to support the rapid integration, testing, and qualification of a new or modified interceptor design. (b) Report required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing— (1) the specific activities conducted under each of the pathways required by subsection (a); (2) for each pathway, the potential improvements in unit cost, schedule, and production volume that could be achieved, as compared to any identified impacts on the performance, reliability, or other capabilities of the affected missile systems; and (3) the Secretary’s recommended path or paths forward, including any legislative or budgetary proposals necessary to implement or expand successful efforts.