
The final version of the FY 2019 defense authorization bill retained provisions directing the Missile Defense Agency to develop a space-based missile intercept layer, boost-phase missile defenses generally, and space-based sensor architecture for missile defenses.The Senate’s NDAA version had a provision in the FY ’18 NDAA that would withdraw statutory flexibility on space-based boost-phase missile defenses. The 2018 language originally said the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) should work on the capability only if it is consistent with the upcoming missile…