THEATER AND LIMITED DEFENSE SYSTEM TESTING.

SEC. 237. THEATER AND LIMITED DEFENSE SYSTEM TESTING. (a) Testing of Theater Missile Defense Interceptors.—Except for the acquisition of those production representative missiles required for the completion of developmental and operational testing, the Secretary of Defense may not approve a theater missile defense interceptor program proceeding into the Low-Rate Initial Production (Milestone IIIA) acquisition stage until the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that more than two realistic live-fire tests, consistent with section 2366 of title 10, United States Code, have been conducted, the results of which demonstrate the achievement by the interceptors of the weapons 107 STAT. 1601systems performance goals specified in the system baseline document established pursuant to section 2435(a)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, before the program entered engineering and manufacturing systems development. The live-fire tests demonstrating such results shall involve multiple interceptors and multiple targets in the presence of realistic countermeasures. (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.