Brig. Gen. Jason Cothern, Space Systems Command deputy, said the service is looking “to incorporate capability-based contracts to include emerging p-LEO services, commercial X-band, space-to-cellular and small maneuverable GEO satellites, trying to stay ahead of the threat and also taking advantage of the commercial capabilities as they arise.”
By Theresa HitchensEnterprise-wide training: the Army’s $3.5B program for multi-service combat readiness
The competition for Warfighter Training and Readiness Solutions will bring together training networks, combat training centers and live ranges across the DoD enterprise.
“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.”
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
The planned buy with the largest potential value is for DoD-wide SATCOM services from commercial operators of p-LEO constellations, with multiple awards totaling $875 million slated in August 2022.
By Theresa Hitchens
“If the Space Systems Command is going to acquire other commercial services in the same fashion that CSCO has been acquiring commercial SATCOM, then that will not serve the warfighter well,” said Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, senior vice president for government strategy and policy at Inmarsat.
By Theresa Hitchens
Space Force’s is to allow for “increased trust in industry” to assess their own systems’ cybersecurity needs, “while doing due diligence” in reviewing whether those assessments are reliable, said Jared Reece.
By Theresa Hitchens
Being able to provide space domain awareness about the cislunar environment is one mission for which robust AI/ML capabilities will be critical, said Lt. Gen. John Shaw.
By Theresa Hitchens
A major overhaul is coming in software for missile warning
Space Systems Command’s FORGE program is the first, major missile-warning software modernization effort in 20 years.
Two of the experiments, each involving two satellites, are focused on laser links: one between satellites themselves; the other from satellites to a MQ-9 Reaper drone on the ground.
By Theresa Hitchens
A next step will be a series of “strategic directives” from the Joint Requirements Oversight Council that roll out “over the next few months,” Brig. Gen. Rob Parker, Joint Staff J6 Deputy Director says.
By Theresa Hitchens
One of the first projects the new DeSel lab will work on is testing structures for a futuristic capability that could be enabled by on-orbit assembly and manufacturing: space-based solar power.
By Theresa Hitchens
This is part of a larger Army effort, launched in November by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, to map out the service’s future space endeavors.
By Theresa Hitchens
“We think that p-LEO is a big deal. And there’s got to be a revolution that has to hit the ground segment, says Phil Carrai, president of Kratos’s space, training and cyber division.
By Theresa Hitchens
SDA Director Derek Tournear, and his boss Mike Griffin, want to delay SDA’s integration with Space Force until after 2023.
By Theresa Hitchens
“I think all orbital regimes are on the table,” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, head of Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC).
By Theresa Hitchens
