INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF THE GROUND-BASED MIDCOURSE DEFENSE SYSTEM.

SEC. 228. INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF THE GROUND-BASED MIDCOURSE DEFENSE SYSTEM.(a) Independent Review and Assessment Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall select an appropriate entity outside the Department of Defense to conduct an independent review and assessment of the ground-based midcourse defense system.124 STAT. 4173(b) Elements.—The review and assessment required by this section shall address the current plans of the Department of Defense with respect to the following:(1) The force structure and inventory levels necessary for the ground-based midcourse defense system to achieve the planned capabilities of that system, including an analysis of costs and potential advantages of deploying additional operational ground-based interceptor missiles.(2) The number of ground-based interceptor missiles necessary for operational assets, test assets (including developmental and operational test assets and aging and surveillance test assets), and spare missiles for the ground-based midcourse defense system.(3) The plan to maintain the operational effectiveness of the ground-based midcourse defense system over the course of its service life, including any modernization or capability enhancement efforts, and any sustainment efforts.(4) The plan for funding the development, production, deployment, testing, improvement, and sustainment of the ground-based midcourse defense system.(5) The plan for flight testing the ground-based midcourse defense system, including aging and surveillance tests to demonstrate the continuing effectiveness of the system over the course of its service life.(6) The plan for production of ground-based interceptor missiles necessary for operational test assets, aging and surveillance test assets, and spare missiles for the ground-based midcourse defense system.(c) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the entity conducting the review and assessment under this section shall submit to the Secretary and the congressional defense committees a report containing—(1) the results of the review and assessment; and(2) any recommendations on how the Department of Defense may improve upon its plans to ensure the availability, reliability, maintainability, supportability, and improvement of the ground-based midcourse defense system.