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The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) released a legislative alert on the defense budget. Under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2010, missile defense will lose $1.2 billion in funding. Missile interceptors in Alaska and California would be reduced from 44 to 30.

According to the alert, President Barack Obama intends to shift away from national missile defense to theater missile defense. Earlier this month, we noted that the Obama administration planned to shift funds away from weapons and research for future conflicts and focus on weapons needed for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The NDAA passed the House and Senate in committee, and lawmakers are introducing amendments to restore funding.

The MDAA notes that missile defense cuts would cancel the Multiple Kill Vehicle, Kinetic Energy Interceptor, and Airborne Laser. Visit the MDAA site for more information.

>> Today Russia made public its new National Security Strategy, in which it expressed hope in building a partnership with the U.S., while criticizing our plans to build missile defense shields in Poland and the Czech Republic. Russia also criticized NATO, citing the international alliance as a security threat. (Voice of America)

>> The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance will hold a briefing to discuss new polling data regarding America’s response to U.S. missile defense and President Barack Obama’s recent missile defense statements and proposals for missile defense funding. The briefing will occur tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the National Press Club. (PRNewswire)

>> U.S. defense contractor Boeing is moving its missile defense headquarters from Arlington, Virginia, to Huntsville, Alabama, which bears the nickname “Rocket City.” Boeing will bring 50 jobs as it heads west.

Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce member Mike Ward said, “I think its reflected in what you see the Army do here, but what you also see with the missile defense agency locating most of its resources here…Anyone involved in missile defense from the corporate side is obviously paying attention to what the missile defense agency, and Army are doing here.” (WHNT.com)

>> A spacecraft called Space Tracking and Surveillance System Advanced Technology Risk Reduction mission launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base earlier this week, along with a spacecraft for the Missile Defense Agency. Launch director for the NASA’s Launch Services Program Chuck Dovale said, “With confirmation of the payload’s delivery into the correct orbit, the launch is a success,” said Chuck Dovale, launch director for the NASA’s Launch Services Program.” (Aero-News Network)