THAAD Funding Cut

The Senate Appropriations Committee is proposing a $425 million funding reduction for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, according to the report released today that accompanies the committee's fiscal year 2011 defense spending bill.

"The committee is aware that due to several issues, in particular the Laser Initiated Ordnance System (LIOS) and microcracks in the Heat Shield, THAAD production is about one year behind schedule," the report states, commending the Missile Defense Agency and Office of the Secretary of Defense "for delaying the production decision until the missile has been thoroughly evaluated.

"Due to the production delay, the committee recommends a reduction of $425 million in fiscal year 2011 and directs MDA to keep the congressional defense committees informed on the progress of THAAD production and any schedule changes for outfitting the Army's THAAD batteries as a result of the production delay," the report continues.