Would you please also get back to me in the next couple of weeks as to how much you think it would cost if we were to take one of our Patriot batteries which is currently being utilized and move it to Deveselu.

Deployment of Aegis Ashore (AA) provides a dedicated system that would provide a continuous missile defense capability.

The intelligence community has remained consistent over the years that the Iranians may have an ICBM capability by 2015.

Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith are actively engaged across the whole committee with looking at how to reform the acquisition process in DOD, which we all agree is broken.

Japan already has Aegis ships for the defense of its territory from North Korea ballistic missiles.

What is the way ahead on M-O-K-V? How important do you think it is and can we move faster on this program?

I would like to request that, if you could in the next couple of weeks, kind of get me some information about what you think it would cost to make those modifications to that site.

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

I thank the gentlelady.

Do you agree that there is the potential, as outlined by Ms. McFarland, that there could be a multi-year period where we would not have assured access to space for the heavy NRO platforms?

I am very concerned, about this possible window, that we don't have heavy-lift capability. I just am.

I just want you to understand--and I am not picking on you, because, Blue Origin has got all kind of optimistic promises out there, as does Aerojet.

I don't want it to look like at any time that the government is putting their finger on the scale to help anybody, except the government.

Before I stop, I want to go to what Ms. McFarland just described as this potential gap of time when we won't have access, particularly on the heavy-lift...

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

I don't want to build another rocket. That gets us down another pig trail that I don't want to go.

Ms. Shotwell, you were recently quoted in the media stating that SpaceX is working on a higher-thrust engine.

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?

So, we can't let that happen.

I hope you get another company in there competing with you all.

I think it is in our Nation's interest.

If everything is successful.

Mr. Bruno, why are you planning to phase out the intermediate (single stick) Delta IV launch vehicle?