"The most significant factor the President considered was the impact a move would have to operational readiness to confront space-enabled threats during a critical time in this dynamic security environment," a senior administration told Breaking Defense in a statement.
The funds in question essentially are monies that the Defense Department wants to move around from one program to another deemed more urgent — something that happens every year because DoD budget requests happen nearly a year before funds can be spent.
The MQ-9B and Gambit Series represent parallel capabilities that address global challenges for security head-on.
"Orbital debris remediation is one of the main areas where the US is falling behind other countries, and this bill would help put America back in a leadership position on making space more sustainable for all to use," enthused Secure World Foundation's Brian Weeden.
"At this point, the biggest thing standing in the way of SPACECOM is political inertia and sore loser syndrome, each a detriment to U.S. military effectiveness," wrote Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville last month in a letter to Senate Armed Services Committee leaders.
A draft version of a DoD inspector general report, obtained by Breaking Defense, said an Alabama HQ was justified, even after top military officials made a last-minute push for Colorado Springs.
The findings of both a GAO and Pentagon IG review of the Defense Department's decision to locate SPACECOM's headquarters in Alabama are expected to be made public within days.
Partnerships with outside industry are a cornerstone of the kingdom’s ambitious growth strategy.