Senator Reid Visit to Director, DIA

This document is a talking paper dated 04 May 2009, prepared for a visit by Senator Reid to the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The primary purpose of the document is to provide a status update on the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications contract. The contract originated from language sponsored by Senator Inouye and Senator Reid in the July 2008 Supplemental Appropriation bill, which tasked the DIA with investigating foreign advanced aerospace weapon threats. The DIA issued a request for proposals in August 2008, covering twelve technical areas including lift, propulsion, control, armaments, spatial/temporal translation, signature reduction, materials, configuration/structure, power generation, human effects, human interface, and technology integration. Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) was the sole bidder and was awarded the contract on 22 September 2008. By May 2009, BAASS had submitted program management plans for all twelve technical areas, which the DIA rated as very good to excellent. BAASS was tasked with delivering two detailed research reports per technical area for FY09, with the goal of having all reports available by the end of July 2009. The document notes that the contract is on track and within budget. Furthermore, the DIA has commenced a FY10 university grant program for advanced aerospace research. The DIA views the contract as a unique opportunity to understand advanced aerospace technology and its threat potential, with plans to integrate efforts with ONI and NASIC.