REPORT ON CAPABILITIES AND COSTS FOR OPERATIONAL BOOST/ASCENT-PHASE MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS.

SEC. 231. REPORT ON CAPABILITIES AND COSTS FOR OPERATIONAL BOOST/ASCENT-PHASE MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS.(a) Secretary of Defense Assessment.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of the United States missile defense programs that are designed to provide capability against threat ballistic missiles in the boost/ascent phase of flight.(b) Purpose.—The purpose of the assessment shall be to compare and contrast—(1) capabilities of those programs (if operational) to defeat, while in the boost/ascent phase of flight, ballistic missiles launched from North Korea or a location in the Middle East against the continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii; and(2) asset requirements and costs for those programs to become operational with the capabilities referred to in paragraph (1).(c) Report.—Not later than October 1, 2006, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report providing the results of the assessment.