ROCKET PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

SEC. 1606. ROCKET PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. (a) Streamlined Acquisition.—Section 1604 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck”McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3623; 10 U.S.C. 2273 note) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection: “(c) Streamlined Acquisition.—In developing the rocket propulsion system required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— “(1) use a streamlined acquisition approach, including tailored documentation and review processes, that enables the effective, efficient, and expedient transition from the use of non-allied space launch engines to a domestic alternative for national security space launches; and “(2) prior to establishing such acquisition approach, establish well-defined requirements with a clear acquisition strategy.” . (b) Availability of Funds.— (1) In general.—In accordance with paragraph (2), of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2016 for the rocket propulsion system required by section 1604 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck”McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, the Secretary of Defense may obligate or expend such funds only for the development of such system, and the necessary interfaces to, or integration of, the launch vehicle, to replace non-allied space launch engines by 2019 as required by such section. (2) Rule of Construction.—The funds specified in paragraph (1)— (A) may be used for the integration of the rocket propulsion system covered by such paragraph with an existing or new launch vehicle; and (B) may not be used to develop or procure a new launch vehicle or related infrastructure. (c) Briefing.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committee a briefing on— (1) the streamlined acquisition approach, requirements, and acquisition strategy required under subsection (c) of section 1604 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck”McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, as added by subsection (a); and (2) the plan for the development and fielding of a full-up rocket propulsion system pursuant to such section 1604.