Strategic Defense Initiative

In the spring of 1991, the Director of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization testified before Congress on his funding needs through fiscal year 2005. He projected that funding for the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program will peak during fiscal years 1995 through 2000 at roughly $7 billion in fiscal year 1991 dollars. This fact sheet describes in detail funding requirements for (1) the Global Protection Against Limited Strikes system's three segments--Global, National, and Theater Defenses, (2) the major weapon and sensor projects in each segment, (3) technology development, and (4) management and support for the whole SDI program.

GAO found that: (1) SDIO anticipates that estimated SDI funding requirements will peak between FY 1995 and 2000 at approximately $7 billion in FY 1991 dollars; (2) between FY 1991 and FY 2005, SDIO plans to spend about $90 billion in FY 1991 dollars on the SDI program; (3) SDIO included costs for GPALS architecture, follow-on system development, and the transition to a Phase 1 Strategic Defense System in its funding requirements; (4) SDIO did not include in its funding requirements all equipment replacement costs or GPALS system funding beyond FY 2005; (5) the Brilliant Pebbles Interceptor Project is expected to receive more funding than any other project; (6) management and support funding requirements will absorb between 16 and 23 percent of the total program cost, or $17.2 million; (7) technology will receive the most funding during the 15-year period, $33.9 million; and (8) SDIO estimates GPALS global and theatre segment funding at $10.2 million each, and GPALS national segment funding at $18.7 million.