Conventional Weapons Systems: Background and Issues for Congress

This book is a compilation of CRS reports on conventional weapons systems. The first report focuses on the background and issues for Congress on cluster munitions, which are air-dropped or ground-launched weapons that release a number of smaller submunitions intended to kill energy personnel or destroy vehicles. The next report focuses on the background and issues for Congress on Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile (BMD) Defense Program. The subsequent report discusses the background and issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring National Security Cutters (NCS), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs) and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). Finally, the process and procedures that currently apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President is reviewed. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and services, or the retransfer to third-party states of such military items.