Pentagon acquisition of space systems needs to be “faster and leaner,” stressed Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., who is expected to chair the House strategic forces subcommittee next year.
By Theresa HitchensMILSATCOM for the most critical no-fail missions
With multiple nuclear-capable threats and space itself being a contested domain, assured and protected MILSATCOM are more critical than ever before.
Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine told Breaking Defense that Phase Four has the potential to “disrupt the in-space propulsion market,” and its technology “is important for the country.”
By Theresa Hitchens
The Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Gen. Chance Saltzman as the next, and second, Space Force chief was free of major fireworks — suggesting an easy ‘yea’ vote.
By Theresa Hitchens
Kaitlyn Johnson, of the Aerospace Security Project, welcomed the SPACECOM-NRO conversation, noting that it is “a big deal,” especially since “Russia has conducted electronic and cyber counterspace attacks already” in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
By Theresa Hitchens
The House Armed Services Committee would require Space Force to establish specific requirements for satellite protection prior to starting any major new acquisition program.
By Theresa Hitchens
“2026 is the fight we’ve got to get ready for,” said Space System Command head Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein.
By Theresa Hitchens
SWAC Director Andrew Cox joked that his office would be “building Pinocchios” if it can’t move its blueprints for change into real-boy programs with funding behind them.
By Theresa Hitchens
Answers at the edge: Where to find solutions that connect the battlespace
When it comes to a common operating picture, not everyone needs the same equipment. What they need is the same situational awareness.
In 2022, the Pentagon will need to see real movement on acquisition reform to reduce long understood vulnerabilities that have been essentially ignored for many years.
By Theresa Hitchens
“We made it clear when we stood this up that it is going to be an evolutionary process, and that we just stood up the bare bones in the first year — because it’s hard enough to do that,” Rep. Mike Rogers said. “And we’re putting the flesh on the bones each year trying to mature it in a slow and pragmatic fashion, and do it right.”
By Theresa Hitchens
Despite increasing threats to and from space, the new priorities document stresses that “confrontation or conflict” is not inevitable.
By Theresa Hitchens
“Congress can hold politicals accountable — not so much with the uniformed officers,” one former DoD official said.
By Theresa Hitchens
The space rush will result in tens of thousands of new assets launched within the decade, which will create a “truly enormous” cyber attack surface, said Sam Visner, a technical fellow at the MITRE Corporation.
By Brad D. Williams
Instead of focusing on the pressing need to shore up vulnerabilities in current and near-term space capabilities, says one critic, Space Force and SPACECOM are “all off trying to train for how they’re going to go fight a space war.”
By Theresa Hitchens
The Biden team wants to “start to lean away from … the pugilistic aspects” of Trump-era space policy, says one well-placed insider.
By Theresa Hitchens
