Mike Rogers

Good afternoon. I want to welcome everybody to the Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing on assured access to space.

I would say, because it is a redo of the company, you don't have to go back and look at their quality.

It probably won't take 2 years, but I would be surprised if it took less than 18 months.

If the 1608 language was fixed so that we could use those additional 14 RD-180 engines, would it remedy the situation that you just all said was unacceptable?

I don't think you can start the certification process until you prove the technology works.

Why do you need a replacement for the ALCM?

Since the President's goal is a world free of nuclear weapons, why should we modernize our nuclear capabilities?

What is driving the requirement to modernize our nuclear capabilities? Is it age of our forces or the ongoing modernization efforts of other nuclear powers?

Can you discuss the importance of assured access to space and maintaining two launch systems that are capable of delivering national security satellites into orbit?

As recently stated by the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency at a HASC hearing on worldwide threats, 'the threat to U.S. space systems and services will increase as potential adversaries pursue disruptive and destructive…

The President's Budget reflects a renewed emphasis on the nuclear enterprise and I believe the investments entailed are appropriate to ensure continued long-term viability of the Nation's strategic deterrent force.

During the peak years of nuclear modernization, how much of the DOD budget will be going towards nuclear deterrence?

I am concerned with the Air Force's plan for space-based weather collection that we could be headed down a similar path of relying on unreliable partners.

For something as important as space services, do would you want to rely on the Russians or the Chinese to meet warfighter requirements?

Please explain why we use missile defense to defend American aircraft carriers from China's ballistic missiles, but, we won't plan to use our missile defenses to defend American cities?

The 2010 National Space Policy states that the Secretary of Defense shall 'Develop capabilities, plans, and options to deter, defend against, and, if necessary, defeat efforts to interfere with or attack U.S. or allied space systems.'

Can you please outline your concerns about the Open Skies treaty? I'm asking for your best military advice concerning potential risks to U.S. national security.

Today, only Russia and China have the capability to conduct a large-scale ballistic missile attack on the territory of the United States, but this is very unlikely and not the focus of U.S. BMD.

Russia and China are building missile defenses against the U.S.

Is it true that the Commander of U.S. European Command non-concurred last year when OSD-P asked for his input on approving Russian Federation requests under the Open Skies treaty?

Why does the United States need the long-range standoff weapon (LRSO)--the follow-on to the current air-launched cruise missile (ALCM)?

As you know, nuclear modernization costs continue to be a topic of discussion up here.

Do you agree with Ms. Gottemoeller that Russia is cheating, or not in compliance, with approximate 8 out of 12 treaties or agreements? Please explain how the U.S. is responding to each case.

Are there any allies who are not yet convinced Russia is violating the INF treaty? Who are they? What are we doing, country by country, to explain and demonstrate how we know?

I do not believe that the world can afford nor can our own security allow U.S. power to continue to recede.