Space Force, NRO approach key milestone for GMTI as other programs fall behind: Calvelli

Space Force, NRO approach key milestone for GMTI as other programs fall behind: Calvelli
Space Force, NRO approach key milestone for GMTI as other programs fall behind: Calvelli

With apparent frustration with another program, Space Force acquisition chief Frank Calvelli asked, “What I don’t get… [is] why would somebody want to have this sort of reputation-ruining stain in the papers all the time?”

‘Tactical ISR’ from space requires DoD, NRO policy changes: Calvelli

‘Tactical ISR’ from space requires DoD, NRO policy changes: Calvelli
‘Tactical ISR’ from space requires DoD, NRO policy changes: Calvelli

“We are clearly moving away from airborne ISR assets and moving into space. It’s the absolute right thing to do from a resiliency and sustainability perspective,” Air Force space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli said.

Draft Space Force-NRO plan for tracking moving targets ‘floating’ around military, IC

Draft Space Force-NRO plan for tracking moving targets ‘floating’ around military, IC
Draft Space Force-NRO plan for tracking moving targets ‘floating’ around military, IC

“This is a new type of capability. It’s not completely the Intelligence Community supporting the [Defense Department]. It’s not completely a DoD mission without the help of the Intelligence Community. It’s this combination of the two,” said CSO Gen. Chance Saltzman.

How Space Force, NRO are sharing the ground-tracking mission, for now

How Space Force, NRO are sharing the ground-tracking mission, for now
How Space Force, NRO are sharing the ground-tracking mission, for now

“The good news about this approach is this really fits my priority of speed, speed and speed,” Frank Calvelli, space acquisition czar at the Department of the Air Force, said of the plan to have NRO take the lead with Space Force oversight and some funding.

Space Force wants $243M in FY24 to kickstart ‘Long Range Kill Chain’ to track targets from space

Space Force wants $243M in FY24 to kickstart ‘Long Range Kill Chain’ to track targets from space
Space Force wants $243M in FY24 to kickstart ‘Long Range Kill Chain’ to track targets from space

The Space Force is “working with the Air Force and the Intelligence Community (IC) in a complementary way to design, develop, and deploy space-based GMTI systems,” the service’s FY24 budget documents explain. 

2024 budget to reflect Space Force, NRO accord on tracking moving targets from orbit

2024 budget to reflect Space Force, NRO accord on tracking moving targets from orbit
2024 budget to reflect Space Force, NRO accord on tracking moving targets from orbit

After an analysis of literally thousands of options, Space Force’s Gen. DT Thompson said, “in the end [there was] a consensus opinion inside the Department of Defense and the [Intelligence Community] on how we should proceed.”

Space Force completes space-based JSTARS replacement analysis, will inform future budgets

Space Force completes space-based JSTARS replacement analysis, will inform future budgets
Space Force completes space-based JSTARS replacement analysis, will inform future budgets

The Space Force is “working with all the other services and combat commanders to determine what are their requirements for ISR that we can then work with our partners in the Intelligence Community to figure out how best to satisfy those requirements,” CSO Gen. Jay Raymond said.

NRO, Air Force may co-fund future space-based ISR tech: Kendall

NRO, Air Force may co-fund future space-based ISR tech: Kendall
NRO, Air Force may co-fund future space-based ISR tech: Kendall

Amid lawmaker concerns about turf tussles, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and NRO Director Chris Scoloese have an “informal agreement” to “work cooperatively to address DoD’s ISR needs from space.”

F-35 cuts, F-15 boost, and E-3 replacement: Air Force’s $170B budget makes big moves in FY23

F-35 cuts, F-15 boost, and E-3 replacement: Air Force’s $170B budget makes big moves in FY23
F-35 cuts, F-15 boost, and E-3 replacement: Air Force’s $170B budget makes big moves in FY23

According to two sources with knowledge of the matter, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall had tasked the service’s budget corps to consider cancelling the F-15EX. Instead, it will receive a plus-up in the FY23 request.

NDAA pumps the brakes on programs to track moving targets

NDAA pumps the brakes on programs to track moving targets
NDAA pumps the brakes on programs to track moving targets

Until a program-by-program review is provided by the Defense Department, the armed services committees would limit spending on each one to no more than than 75% of its planned annual budget.

Lawmakers Throw Wrench Into Air Force ISR Divestment Plan

Lawmakers Throw Wrench Into Air Force ISR Divestment Plan
Lawmakers Throw Wrench Into Air Force ISR Divestment Plan

House authorizers threw shade at the service for not heeding long-standing warnings of the potential for a gap in tactical aircraft availability.

Raymond Unveils Classified Target Tracking Space Radar Effort

Raymond Unveils Classified Target Tracking Space Radar Effort
Raymond Unveils Classified Target Tracking Space Radar Effort

“The space-based GMTI system will replace a portion of the JSTARS sensing capability” and “will support all combatant commands,” Space Force spokesperson Col. Catie Hague explains.

Aircraft Readiness Is Bad & Getting Worse: GAO

Aircraft Readiness Is Bad & Getting Worse: GAO
Aircraft Readiness Is Bad & Getting Worse: GAO

Of 46 types of aircraft surveyed – from the new F-35 to the aging JSTARS – not one met the Pentagon’s goal of being 80 percent “mission capable.” Most of them, in fact, keep getting worse.

What Aircraft May Die To Fund Goldfein’s Future?

What Aircraft May Die To Fund Goldfein’s Future?
What Aircraft May Die To Fund Goldfein’s Future?

Although retiring the B-2 fleet could save the Air Force nearly $3 billion, CSIS cautions that doing so “would leave the nation without a long-range penetrating strike aircraft and would weaken the airborne component of the nuclear triad.”