Missile Agency Guards Against Counterfeit Parts

The Missile Defense Agency is working to detect and prevent the use of unauthorized or defective parts that could undermine the effectiveness of the nation’s ballistic missile defense system, Army Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O’Reilly, the agency’s director, told Congress today.

The ballistic missile defense system is one of the most complex systems being developed by the Defense Department, O’Reilly told the Senate Armed Services Committee. The agency integrates advanced sensor, fire control, battle management and interceptor systems, with parts, materials, assembles and subassemblies provided by more than 3,000 suppliers.

But this system -- designed to provide a reliable, continuously available defense to the U.S. homeland, deployed forces, allies and friends against a variety of regional ballistic missiles -- is only as good as its least reliable component, O’Reilly said.

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