(U) A. Mission Description and Budget Item Justification

(U) Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP) is tasked to provide Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) launch vehicle support to DoD and other government agencies using excess ballistic missiles assets. RSLP mission was established by the Secretary of Defense in 1972. It provides mission planning, payload integration, launch support, booster storage and disposal, maintenance and logistics support for selected DoD RDT&E launches. Costs directly attributable to a specific launch or program are paid by the user (Air Force, Navy, Army, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, etc.). RSLP directly supports deactivation of Minuteman II by providing storage of these and other assets. RSLP performs research and development support operations required for general rocket system launch research and development use.

(U) This program is in Budget Activity 6 - Management and Support, Research Category 6.5, because RSLP provides research and development effort and/or operations support for general research and development use.

(U) FY 1996 ($ in Thousands):

(U) $8,377	Storage and refurbishment of deactivated Minuteman and other missile flight test assets.
(U) $11,500	Launch support for Air Force Academy cadet-developed satellite.
(U) $16,800	Transportable range equipment development.
(U) $0	Provided launch assets and technical assistance for DoD RDT&E launches. (Funded by users.)
(U) $223	Other
(U) $36,900	Total

(U) FY 1997 ($ in Thousands):

(U) $6,126	Continue storage and refurbishment of deactivated Minuteman and other missile flight test assets.
(U) $2,026	Perform aging surveillance-related activities on stored motors; perform analyses/studies to identify and evaluate potential safety-related issues affecting stored motors.
(U) $23,421	Accomplish atmospheric interceptor technology, plasma attenuation, and materials demonstration flight testing for BMDO.
(U) $0	Provide launch assets and technical assistance for DoD RDT&E launches. (Funded by users.)
(U) $645	Other
(U) $32,218	Total

(U) FY 1998 ($ in Thousands):

(U) $6,013	Continue storage and refurbishment of deactivated Minuteman and other missile flight test assets.
(U) $2,000	Perform aging surveillance-related activities on stored motors; perform analyses/studies to identify and evaluate potential safety-related issues affecting stored motors.
(U) $0	Provide launch assets and technical assistance for DoD RDT&E launches. (Funded by users.)
(U) $8,013	Total

(U) FY 1999 ($ in Thousands):

(U) $6,023	Continue storage and refurbishment of deactivated Minuteman and other missile flight test assets.
(U) $2,000	Perform aging surveillance-related activities on stored motors; perform analyses/studies to identify and evaluate potential safety-related issues affecting stored motors.
(U) $0	Provide launch assets and technical assistance for DoD RDT&E launches. (Funded by users.)
(U) $8,023	Total

(U) B. Program Change Summary ($ in Thousands)

	FY 1996	FY 1997	FY 1998	FY 1999	Total Cost
(U) Previous President's Budget	32,808	8,152	8,474	8,609	Continuing
(U) Appropriated Value	22,749	33,252
(U) Adjustments to Appropriated Value
a. Cong Reductions	-220	-705
b. SBIR	-523	-329
c. Omnibus or Other Above Threshold Reprogram	11,275
d. Below Threshold Reprogramming	3,619
(U) Adjustments to Budget Years Since FY 1997 PB			-461	-586
(U) Current Budget Submit/President's Budget	36,900	32,218	8,013	8,023	Continuing

(U) Change Summary Explanation:

Funding: FY97 reflects congressional-mandated reductions; FY98-02 funding reflects reductions to fund other AF and DoD priorities.

Schedule: No significant impact.

Technical: No significant impact.

(U) C. Other Program Funding Summary ($ in Thousands):

Related RDT&E: PE 0603851F, ICBM Dem/Val.

(U) D. Schedule Profile: Not applicable.

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