REQUIREMENT FOR PLAN ON OVERHEAD NONIMAGING INFRARED SYSTEMS.

SEC. 217. REQUIREMENT FOR PLAN ON OVERHEAD NONIMAGING INFRARED SYSTEMS.(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall develop a comprehensive plan to conduct and support research, development, and demonstration of technologies that could evolve into the next generation of overhead nonimaging infrared systems.(b) Elements.—The plan required by subsection (a) shall include the following:(1) The research objectives to be achieved under the plan.(2) A description of the research, development, and demonstration activities under the plan.(3) An estimate of the duration of the research, development, and demonstration of technologies under the plan.(4) The cost and duration of any flight or on-orbit demonstrations of the technologies being developed.(5) A plan for implementing any acquisition programs with respect to technologies determined to be successful under the plan.(6) An identification of the date by which a decision must be made to begin any follow-on programs and a justification for the date identified.(7) A schedule for completion of a full analysis of the on-orbit performance characteristics of the Space-Based Infrared System and the Space Tracking and Surveillance 122 STAT. 4388 System, and an assessment of how the performance characteristics of such systems will inform the decision to proceed to a next generation overhead nonimaging infrared system.(c) Limitation on Obligation and Expenditure of Funds for Third Generation Infrared Surveillance Program.—Not more than 50 percent of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2009 by section 201(3) for research, development, test, and evaluation for the Air Force and available for the Third Generation Infrared Surveillance program may be obligated or expended until the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress the plan required by subsection (a).