David Ruppe at Global Security Newswire got ahold of the Senate Approprations report.
The NFIRE Kill Vehicle is ba-aaaaack:
The Ballistic Missile Defense System [BMDS] Interceptor program element consists of the NFIRE program and the KEI program.
Because these programs have no related program elements, the Committee recommends the realignment of the NFIRE program to the Ballistic Missile Defense Technology Program Element. This accounts for $13,706,000 of the reduction to the BMDS Interceptor PE.
The Committee directs the Missile Defense Agency to complete development and mission integration of the deployable NFIRE Kill Vehicle [KV]. The Committee urges the Agency to collect near-field data for critical missile defense interceptor risk reduction with the Kill Vehicle.
MDA had originally agreed to remove the kill vehicle—which MDA was going to slam into a ballistic missile to collect really near field infrared data—in favor of a German laser communications terminal.
Take a hike, Gerry.
The House appropriated the full amount in the BMDS Interceptors program element.
We’ll see how “Trey” Obering responds to Senatorial urges.