Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site

The Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS) program supports the testing and evaluation of major Army and Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition programs of strategic importance to national defense. It provides space operations and intelligence data in support of United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), acting as a high-value contributing sensor to the United States Space Surveillance Network. The program aims to provide critical test data for programs of national interest, including Army Missile Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency hypersonic Boost-Glide developmental tests, Air Force and Navy Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developmental and operational tests, and NASA's scientific and unique space programs. The funding covers management and contracting personnel support, contracting support for end item procurement, life cycle acquisition planning, solicitation, negotiation, award, execution and management for weapon systems contracts, as well as operations and maintenance functions for RTS instrumentation suites.

The program also provides mission essential bandwidth via a fiber optic cable system, expertise required for operating and maintaining a number of one-of-a-kind radar, optical, telemetry, command/control/communications, safety, and data reduction systems. It supports weapon system assessment of operational effectiveness and suitability for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Additionally, it funds technical facilities available on and in the vicinity of RTS that are essential for obtaining critical test data. The program supports various defense systems such as the Army's PATRIOT air defense system; Air Force's Minuteman III ICBM; MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System; ICBM Targets; Layered Ballistic Missile Defense operational tests; and NASA's space experiments.

The funding also covers various aspects such as civilian pay for operations and mission support functions at RTS managed by USASMDC; temporary duty/training/supplies for travel and training for civilians and military to assist in testing the Army and DoD missile system programs; outside obligations/other government agencies (OGAs) for reimbursable-type work efforts; lease cost for Fiber Optic Cable between Kwajalein Island and Guam; contractor labor for technical O&M support; contractor material to maintain range capabilities; Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) contractor pay to provide technical expertise to RTS leadership; weather sensing capability which allows for test planning and execution of the program; ground transportation of material and passengers between Kwajalein Atoll and CONUS; mission-specific environmental requirements to ensure range readiness compliance with environmental regulations.