Ballistic Missile Defense Joint Warfighter Support

The Ballistic Missile Defense Joint Warfighter Support program, managed by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), is a comprehensive initiative designed to provide direct technical, operational, and integration support to Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Military Services, and the Joint Staff. The overarching goal is to ensure the effective development, testing, and operational readiness of the Missile Defense System (MDS), while facilitating the identification and delivery of new missile defense capabilities in response to evolving threats. This program element is funded through the Department of Defense's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E), Defense-Wide appropriation, specifically under Advanced Component Development & Prototypes.

MD03: Joint Warfighter Support focuses on seven primary functions: missile defense operations support, CCMD integration, military service integration, operational system verification and validation, warfighter training and education, Joint Staff integration, and reserve integration. The program operates the MDA Operations Support Center around the clock, manages global asset scheduling and readiness reporting, and leads the Warfighter Involvement Process to identify and address operational gaps. It also ensures the participation of warfighters in the development and fielding of new missile defense capabilities. The program supports operational planning and coordinates reserve support across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.

MT03: Joint Warfighter Support Test provides critical support for planning, conducting, and evaluating Missile Defense System wargames and exercises worldwide. These activities enable warfighters to define, test, and employ new missile defense capabilities, validate tactics and procedures, and refine operational concepts, particularly in support of regional and homeland defense. The program integrates allied and partner nations into exercises, supports the European Phased Adaptive Approach, and coordinates with CCMDs to ensure that operational requirements are reflected in test and exercise planning. This line item also manages the development and integration of models and simulations for use in both live and virtual training environments.

MC03: Cyber Operations is dedicated to verifying and validating the cybersecurity posture of the MDA's information technology infrastructure. The objective is to ensure that all cybersecurity-enabled products, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, meet current Department of Defense certification standards and are listed on the Approved Products List Integrated Tracking System (APLITS). The program conducts both manual and automated software code analysis to detect vulnerabilities, prepares comprehensive reports with remediation recommendations, and maintains compliance with the Federal Information Systems Modernization Act of 2014. This cybersecurity effort is essential for protecting the integrity and operational effectiveness of the Missile Defense System.

MD40: Program-Wide Support covers non-headquarters management costs and essential support services for the MDA's global operations. This includes funding for government civilians, contract support services, facility operations, security, audit readiness, legal services, STEM programs, and environmental compliance. The objective is to provide the necessary infrastructure and administrative support to enable the effective execution of all MDA programs. This includes deployment site preparation, facility sustainment, and centralized property management. Program-Wide Support is allocated on a pro-rata basis across multiple program elements and fluctuates annually based on the overall agency budget.

The acquisition strategy for the Ballistic Missile Defense Joint Warfighter Support program leverages a combination of government, military, and contractor expertise. Major contracts such as the Integrated Research and Development for Enterprise Solutions (IRES) and the Specialized Warfighter Development Contract are used to execute integration, sustainment, and technical support tasks. Competitive procurement is emphasized where practical, with a focus on achieving small business participation goals and ensuring flexibility to meet evolving operational needs.