REPORT ON VEHICLE-BASED ACTIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR CERTAIN BATTLEFIELD THREATS.

SEC. 234. REPORT ON VEHICLE-BASED ACTIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR CERTAIN BATTLEFIELD THREATS.(a) Independent Assessment.—The Secretary of Defense shall enter into a contract with an appropriate entity independent of the United States Government to conduct an assessment of various foreign and domestic technological approaches to vehicle-based active protection systems for defense against both chemical energy and kinetic energy top-attack and direct fire threats, including anti-tank missiles and rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and other similar battlefield threats.(b) Report.—(1) Report required.—The contract required by subsection (a) shall require the entity entering into such contract to submit to the Secretary of Defense, and to the congressional defense committees, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report on the assessment required by that subsection.(2) Elements.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall include—(A) a detailed comparative analysis and assessment of the technical approaches covered by the assessment under subsection (a), including the feasibility, military utility, cost, and potential short-term and long-term development and deployment schedule of such approaches; and(B) any other elements specified by the Secretary in the contract under subsection (a).