U.S. missile defense funding will probably see some reductions under the next presidential administration, but support for established programs with demonstrated success would be sustained, a Senate staffer predicted last week (see GSN, May 6).
(Oct. 21) -
The U.S. Airborne Laser program could face budget cuts in coming years (Air Force photo).
“The next administration is likely to reduce missile defense,” said Robert Soofer, a minority staff member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, probably “at least $1 billion.” Participating in a Heritage Foundation panel, Soofer said he was speaking for himself, not as a representative for committee Republicans.
However, the fact that a Democrat-controlled Congress has largely maintained funding over the past two years suggests that support for established technologies would continue into the future, he said. Congress was expected to approve about $11 billion for missile defense activities in fiscal 2009, which began Oct. 1.
Less-advanced technologies, such as the Airborne Laser (see GSN, Sept. 22) and the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (see GSN, May 8) could face the brunt of any cuts, Soofer said. More proven systems — such as Patriot missile interceptors, the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system and sea-based Aegis technologies — would probably receive continued backing, he said.
“Buy stock in Aegis,” Soofer said. “Sell stock in Airborne Laser” (Space & Missile Defense Report, Oct. 20).