ACTIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS.

SEC. 216. ACTIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS.(a) Live-Fire Tests Required.—(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall undertake live-fire tests, of appropriate foreign and domestic active protection systems with size, weight, and power characteristics suitable for protecting wheeled tactical vehicles, especially light wheeled tactical vehicles, in order—(A) to determine the effectiveness of such systems for protecting wheeled tactical vehicles; and(B) to develop information useful in the consideration of the adoption of such systems in defense acquisition programs.(2) Reports.—Not later than March 1 of each of 2008 and 2009, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the tests undertaken under paragraph (1) as of the date of such report.(3) Funding.—The live-fire tests required by paragraph (1) shall be conducted using funds authorized and appropriated for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund.(b) Comprehensive Assessment Required.—(1) In general.—The Secretary shall undertake a comprehensive assessment of active protection systems in order to develop information useful in the development of joint active protection systems and other defense programs.(2) Elements.—The assessment under paragraph (1) shall include—(A) an identification of the potential merits and operational costs of the use of active protection systems by United States military forces;(B) a characterization of the threats that use of active protection systems by potential adversaries would pose to United States military forces and weapons;(C) an identification and assessment of countermeasures to active protection systems;(D) an analysis of collateral damage potential of active protection systems;(E) an identification and assessment of emerging direct-fire and top-attack threats to defense systems that could potentially deploy active protection systems; and(F) an identification and assessment of critical technology elements of active protection systems.(3) Report.—Not later than December 31, 2008, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the assessment under paragraph (1).