Deployment of a National Missile Defense system is now expected to be closer to 2010 than the 2005 that the Congress wants. The problem is that the system hasn't worked reliably and more tests mean more delays. And more delays mean that the missiles NMD is intended to stop are more capable and could presumably have better decoys and countermeasures. And smarter targets means that the system needs to include better interceptors, which need more tests.--Stephen V Cole