Central ND News

The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces convened today to review the Department of Defense’s space-related activities as part of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Future Years Defense Program. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a key figure in the establishment of the Space Force, questioned witnesses about ensuring that entities like the Space Development Agency (SDA) are not hindered by bureaucracy and can accelerate their initiatives.

Senator Cramer directed his first question to Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, focusing on how industry disruptors are encouraged to engage in more programs.

“When I think of the Space Development Agency, I always think of SDA as the disrupter within the service itself, and I'm sure that creates a lot of tensions,” said Cramer. “So, with the spiral development concept you all use, and that SDA uses, help me understand the role of SDA as the acquisition [component] and then their role in providing maintenance and management."

“I ask that question, honestly, with some concern, that SDA could end up getting a little bit handcuffed and not be the disrupter we need them to be within the larger Space Force if that makes sense,” Cramer continued.

Calvelli responded by highlighting SDA's accomplishments in deploying capabilities into orbit. He noted that SDA is currently demonstrating its Tranche 0 capabilities with 27 satellites in orbit—eight missile warning tracking satellites and 19 transport satellites.

“SDA is part of the Space Force; they're part of the family; they fit in even though they're a little bit disruptive," said Calvelli. "I think they are showing the way to other parts of the organization that by building smaller and using fixed price contracts, you actually can go faster. […] Under my watch, I expect to continue seeing SDA do their great work. The biggest thing we'll see down the road is making sure as we launch Tranche 1 operational systems next year that people use it. It doesn't matter how fast we build them if no one uses them; we need to get services to ramp on and adopt it.”

Senator Cramer also sought further clarification from Vice Chief of Space Operations General Michael Guetlein regarding whether SDA continues its operations post-launch.

“We have integrated the Space Development Agency fully into the United States Space Force,” said General Guetlein. “They are a part of the team. Their capabilities are being detailed, planned into our war games, our exercises going forward and into our war plans. So, we are already counting on that capability and starting to test it.”