Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) Research Report
1. Organization Overview
The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Riki Ellison. Its stated mission is to “generate public support for the continued testing, development and deployment of missile defense systems to defend the United States, its armed forces, and its allies against missile threats” [1]. The organization operates under a four-pillar framework: Illuminate (highlighting global missile threats), Elevate (raising the conversation around missile defense), Educate (providing resources and information), and Advocate (championing missile defense initiatives and bipartisan support) [2].
Structurally, MDAA is a 501(c)(4) civic league and social welfare organization, meaning that contributions to the organization are not tax-deductible [3]. The organization is legally formed as an independent corporation based in Alexandria, Virginia [4].
2. Leadership
Board of Directors
The MDAA Board of Directors consists of retired military leaders and defense industry executives.
| Name | MDAA Role | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Riki Ellison | Founder, Chairman, CEO, and President | Former NFL linebacker (San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders), three-time Super Bowl champion. Graduate of USC with a degree in international relations. Founded the Youth Impact Program in 2006 [5] [6]. |
| General (Ret.) Glen D. VanHerck | Board Member | Former Commander of the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) [7]. |
| John Rood | Board Member | Chairman, CEO, and President of Momentus. Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (2018-2020). Former Senior Vice President at Lockheed Martin International and Vice President at Raytheon [8]. |
| Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery | Board Member | Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Former Policy Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee [9]. |
| Major General (Ret) Charles “Corky” Corcoran | Board Member | Former Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at USAF Headquarters. Former Commander of the USAF Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base [10]. |
| Lieutenant General (Ret.) Jon “Ty” Thomas | Board Member | Former Deputy Commander, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) [11]. |
| Lieutenant General (Ret.) James B. Jarrard | Board Member | Former Deputy Commanding General for the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) [12]. |
| Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Browning | Board Member | Vice President for Strategic Capabilities at Rhombus Power Inc. Former Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Mission Capabilities for the Department of Defense [13]. |
| Mr. Tom Goffus | Board Member | Executive Partner, Global Security at Elara Nova. Former Assistant Secretary General for Operations at NATO [14]. |
Additional board members listed in recent tax filings include JD Gainey, Anthony Manganiello, David S. Bracken (Treasurer & Secretary), and Hatim Tyabji [15].
Advisory Board and Fellows
MDAA maintains an advisory board and a group of research fellows. Advisors include Zoah Scheneman, Joaquin F. Malavet (Senior Fellow for Indo-Pacific Affairs), COL (Ret.) David Shank (Senior Fellow for European Affairs and U.S. Army Air and Missile Defense), Victorino G. Mercado (Academic and Innovation Coordinator), and Jason Suslavich (Congressional Advisor) [16]. Tal Inbar serves as a Research Fellow [17].
3. Funding Sources
MDAA is funded primarily through membership contributions. In fiscal year 2024, the organization reported $489,824 in total revenue, with $486,291 (99.3%) coming from contributions [18]. This represented a significant decrease from previous years; in fiscal year 2023, revenue was $1,283,402, and in fiscal year 2019, it was $1,126,329 [19].
MDAA offers membership packages ranging from the $100/year “Blitz Package” to the $1,000/year “Goal Line Package,” which includes recognition as an Alliance contributor and an autographed “MDAA Golden Game Ball” [20].
The organization does not publicly disclose its specific corporate donors on its website. However, Riki Ellison stated in a 2005 interview that MDAA is funded by its membership, which includes “individual citizens, defense and nondefense companies and a broad swath of organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce” [21]. Prior to founding MDAA, Ellison worked as a missile defense policy consultant for Lockheed Martin and did public outreach for United Missile Defense Co., a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon [22].
A significant portion of MDAA’s expenses is allocated to executive compensation. In fiscal year 2024, out of $884,904 in total expenses, $442,003 (49.9%) went to executive compensation. Riki Ellison’s compensation was reported as $343,750 in 2024, $375,000 in 2023, and $455,000 in 2021 [23].
4. Activities
MDAA engages in a wide range of advocacy and educational activities:
- Missile Defender of the Year Awards: MDAA hosts annual award ceremonies to recognize excellence among U.S. and allied missile defense operators. Events are held for the National Capital Region, the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and specific bases like Vandenberg Space Force Base [24] [25].
- Congressional Roundtables: Since 2014, MDAA has hosted regular roundtable discussions on Capitol Hill featuring military and civilian experts discussing topics such as homeland defense, sensor networks, and European missile defense [26].
- Academic Executive Programs: MDAA partners with universities to run educational programs for military, government, and industry leaders:
- USC SHIELD Program: An 8-month program at the University of Southern California focusing on global space and deterrence policy and engineering [27].
- AETOS Program: An 8-month program at the University of Arizona focusing on terrestrial, near-space, and space domain technologies [28].
- ARTEMIS Program: An 8-month executive training initiative at the University of Hawaii focusing on satellite sensor technology for Earth observation [29].
- Publications and Alerts: MDAA publishes daily news alerts, threat updates, and in-depth policy reports on global missile defense developments [30].
- Base Visits: Ellison and MDAA members frequently tour military installations, such as a recent visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base and a ULA facility to observe space launch missions and industry partnerships [31].
5. Missile Interceptor Cost Data
The specific page referenced (https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-defense-systems/missile-interceptors-by-cost/) provides a comparative list of the cost per missile intercept for 24 different U.S. and allied air and missile defense systems [32].
The data ranges from $111,000,000 for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) down to $3.50 for Directed Energy (Iron Beam). The systems covered include [33]:
| System | Cost Per Intercept |
|---|---|
| Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) | $111,000,000 |
| Ground Based Interceptor (GBI) | $90,000,000 |
| Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IIA | $27,915,625 |
| Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IB | $9,698,617 - $12,500,000 |
| Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) | $9,574,400 (FY2024) |
| Patriot PAC-3 | $3,729,769 |
| Arrow 3 | $3,000,000 |
| Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) Block IV | $2,100,000 |
| Aster 30 (SAMP-T) | $2,000,000 |
| Meteor BVRAAM | $2,398,000 |
| Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) | $1,809,933 |
| NASAM AMRAAM 120 | $996,736 |
| Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) | $917,894 |
| 48N6 (S-300) | $1,300,000 |
| BARAK-8 | $553,435 |
| IRIS-T | $450,000 |
| NASAM AIM-9X | $1,181,018 |
| Mistral M3 | $545,600 |
| Aspide Mk1/Mk2 | $100,000 |
| Stinger Missile/MANPADS | $480,000 |
| VAMPIRE Missile/MANPADS | $1,400,000 |
| Tamir (Iron Dome) | $20,000 - $100,000 |
| C-RAM | $8,100 |
| Directed Energy (Iron Beam) | $3.50 |
6. Partnerships
MDAA maintains partnerships and relationships with several entities:
- Universities: University of Southern California (SHIELD), University of Arizona (AETOS), University of Hawaii (ARTEMIS) [34].
- Government/Military: U.S. Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Space Force, NORAD/NORTHCOM, George C. Marshall Center [35].
- International: NATO, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates (through Defender of the Year events) [36].
- Defense Industry: While MDAA does not explicitly list corporate sponsors, its board includes executives from Momentus, Rhombus Power, and Elara Nova. John Rood, a board member, previously held senior roles at Lockheed Martin and Raytheon [37].
7. Media Presence
MDAA and Riki Ellison maintain an active media presence. Ellison frequently provides commentary on missile defense issues. In a 2018 profile by Stars and Stripes, Ellison was described as a “defensive force” who briefed the national security teams of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election campaign and “rubs shoulders with the Pentagon’s elite in Washington” [38].
MDAA operates a YouTube channel (“Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance”) featuring interviews, event recordings, and analysis videos [39]. They also maintain accounts on X/Twitter (@MissileDefAdv), Facebook (@MissileDefAdv), and LinkedIn [40].
8. Controversies and Criticism
MDAA has faced criticism primarily regarding its ties to the defense industry and its advocacy for the rapid deployment of missile defense systems.
In a 2005 article in The Hill, the Council for a Livable World criticized the push to deploy unproven missile defense systems, stating: “If a military confrontation with a nuclear-armed adversary broke out in a few years, it is not hard to imagine that American leaders will rely on a missile shield as French leaders mistakenly relied on an inadequate Maginot Line before World War II” [41].
Ellison is registered as a federal lobbyist. According to OpenSecrets and LegiStorm, MDAA reported $410,000 in lobbying expenditures in 2003 under the “Misc Defense” industry category. However, the organization reported $0 in lobbying expenditures for 2023 and 2025 [42]. Ellison has stated that he “does not lobby for specific companies or systems,” but rather advocates for the broader cause of missile defense [43].
9. Contact Information
- Address: 515 King Street Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 [44]
- Phone: (703) 299-0060 [45]
- Email: [email protected] [46]
- Website: www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org [47]
- X/Twitter: @MissileDefAdv [48]
- Facebook: Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance [49]
- LinkedIn: Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance [50]
References
[1] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). About. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/
[2] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Advocacy. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/advocacy/
[3] ProPublica. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
[4] CauseIQ. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) | Alexandria, VA. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) | Alexandria, VA | Cause IQ
[5] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Riki Ellison. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/riki-ellison/
[6] Youth Impact Program. (n.d.). Riki Ellison, Founder & CEO. Retrieved from Riki Ellison, Founder & CEO | Youth Impact Program
[7] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). General (Ret.) Glen D. VanHerck. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/glen-vanherck/
[8] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). John Rood. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/john-rood/
[9] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/mark-montgomery/
[10] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Major General (Ret) Charles “Corky” Corcoran. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/charles-corky-corcoran/
[11] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Lieutenant General (Ret.) Jon “Ty” Thomas. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/jon-thomas/
[12] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Lieutenant General (Ret.) James (Jamie) B. Jarrard. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/james-jamie-b-jarrard/
[13] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Browning. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/thomas-browning/
[14] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Mr. Tom Goffus. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/tom-goffus/
[15] ProPublica. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
[16] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Advisors to the Board. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/advisors-to-the-board/
[17] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Research Fellows. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/research-fellows/
[18] ProPublica. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
[19] ProPublica. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
[20] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Membership. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/membership/
[21] Scully, M. (2005, February 15). Twelve years after football, Ellison still tackling defense. The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/2896-twelve-years-after-football-ellison-still-tackling-defense/
[22] Scully, M. (2005, February 15). Twelve years after football, Ellison still tackling defense. The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/2896-twelve-years-after-football-ellison-still-tackling-defense/
[23] ProPublica. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
[24] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Events. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/advocacy/events/
[25] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). 2024 Missile Defender of the Year. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/alerts/2024-missile-defender-of-the-year/
[26] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Virtual Congressional Roundtables. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/alerts/?category=virtual-congressional-roundtables
[27] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). The USC SHIELD Executive Program ’25. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/academics-and-innovation/usc-shield-2/the-usc-shield-executive-program-25/
[28] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). The University of Arizona AETOS Executive Program ’26. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/academics-and-innovation/arizona-aetos-26/
[29] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). The ARTEMIS Executive Program ’25-’26. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/academics-and-innovation/hawaii-space-science-initiative/the-artemis-executive-program-25/
[30] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). MDAA Alerts. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/alerts/
[31] Vandenberg Space Force Base. (2026, April 22). Riki Ellison and Missile Advocacy Alliance Members Tour Vandenberg Space Force Base. Retrieved from https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4471823/riki-ellison-and-missile-advocacy-alliance-members-tour-vandenberg-space-force/
[32] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Missile Interceptors by Cost. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-defense-systems/missile-interceptors-by-cost/
[33] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Missile Interceptors by Cost. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-defense-systems/missile-interceptors-by-cost/
[34] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Academics and Innovation. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/academics-and-innovation/
[35] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). MDAA Factsheet. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/mdaa-factsheet/
[36] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). MDAA Factsheet. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/mdaa-factsheet/
[37] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Board of Directors. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/board-of-directors/
[38] Robson, S. (2018, July 5). Former 49ers linebacker champions missile defense. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved from Former 49ers linebacker champions missile defense | Stars and Stripes
[39] YouTube. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance - YouTube
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[42] OpenSecrets. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Lobbying Profile. Retrieved from https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/summary?cycle=2025&id=D000111603
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[44] Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. (n.d.). Contact Us. Retrieved from https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/about/contact-us/
[45] CauseIQ. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) | Alexandria, VA. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) | Alexandria, VA | Cause IQ
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[48] X. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (@MissileDefAdv) / X
[49] Facebook. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/MissileDefAdv/
[50] LinkedIn. (n.d.). Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved from Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance | LinkedIn
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