"I would say that we are at the point now where the technology has matured and it's commoditized, so that radar based AMTI from space is feasible," outgoing SDA Director Derek Tournear told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.
In an exclusive interview with Breaking Defense, outgoing SDA Director Derek Tournear said the agency's three biggest technological successes have been proving the viability of space-based Link 16; missile tracking from LEO; and low-cost laser links.
The solution starts with an outstanding portfolio of Challenger and Global aircraft, recognized as the world’s top-performing business jets.
Tournear was placed on administrative leave from his role on Jan. 16.
The court filings do not provide a proposed schedule for the new bid process, but do reveal that it will be managed by officials who were not involved in overseeing the original contract awards.
New acting SDA head William Blauser, who came to Air Force RCO last July from Systems Technology and Research LLC in Arlington, Va., has had a long career in Defense Department acquisition, including of space systems at the National Reconnaissance Office.
According to several sources involved, Tournear allegedly stepped afoul of DoD contracting procedures when awarding two prototype agreements worth approximately $424 million.
The jet-powered transport’s speed, survivability and multi-mission agility position it as a viable option to the C-130 for the US and NATO allies.
Derek Tournear said he's concerned about cybersecurity and supply chain, and especially where they overlap: foreign-written software.
“I describe PWSA, the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, as the Android model,” said Space Development Agency director Derek Tournear. “If we get vendor lock, if only one works, or if they can't talk to each other, that falls apart pretty quickly.”
Tournear said that the optical intersatellite link demonstration was final success in a trifecta of baseline challenges to SDA's plan to network hundreds of military satellites in LEO, as well as to eventually to integrate commercial satellites into the mix.
SDA Director Derek Tournear said he expects the new FOO Fighter ground segment to be up and running in December 2026, before the first satellites are launched.
With potential adversaries no longer predictable, training must move beyond just live exercises and flight simulators.
“On their aircraft and their ground units, they'll be able to talk directly to us with Link 16 to our Tranche 0 satellites that are on orbit now," Derek Tournear said at the 2024 Space Symposium.
“We need a budget to be able to continue to fund this,” said Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear. “We always assume there will be a continuing resolution for a few months, but not six to 12.”
"We truly have demonstrated that the vision of JADC2 and the vision of the Joint Fires Network is a reality and we can do it," SDA Director Derek Tournear told Breaking Defense.
"Here's the beauty of the spiral development program. I don't know what Tranche 3 looks like. All I know is it's more of what was on Tranche 2, and it is most likely going to be new capabilities," SDA Director Derek Tournear said Thursday. "I don't want to define what those capabilities are now."