Acquisitions
Calvelli to assume duties as U.S. Air Force’s space acquisition executive
After being confirmed by the Senate, Frank Calvelli will be sworn in as assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration
Space Force to reorganize its acquisition command to ‘focus on the threat’
The U.S. Space Systems Command is being restructured in an effort to re-energize the bureaucracy and bring fresh focus on the competition with China, officials said March 4.
Space Force procurement command trying to bring ‘unity of effort’ to space programs
Claire Leon, a former Boeing executive who previously led the national security space launch program, is now in charge of a new office that will coordinate military space programs.
Space acquisition nominee: Satellites must be defended, ‘the economy depends on space’
Frank Calvelli, nominated by President Biden to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, said Feb. 17 that the United States needs to move quickly to protect satellites so they can be “counted on during times of crisis and conflict.”
Space Force taps Air Force Research Lab leader for key acquisition post
Col. Eric Felt, director of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate, will be moving to a new post this summer as deputy executive director of the Space Force’s architecture, science and technology directorate at the Pentagon.
Biden taps former NRO official Frank Calvelli to run Space Force acquisitions
President Biden nominated Frank Calvelli to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition, the White House announced Dec. 15.
Op-ed | How the U.S. can quickly build greater resiliency in space
The National Space Council directs the Department of Defense to “accelerate its transition to a more resilient national security space posture.”
Changes ahead for Space Force procurement organizations
A new senior procurement executive for space programs will oversee the transfer of the Space Development Agency and a restructuring of the Space Systems Command
Kendall looks to accelerate appointment of civilian leader to oversee Space Force acquisitions
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall is asking Congress to authorize a new assistant secretary for space acquisitions before the Oct. 1, 2022, date that was set in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
Voyager Space acquires propulsion company Valley Tech Systems
Voyager Space announced Oct. 4 it has acquired Valley Tech Systems, a company that developed solid-fueled propulsion for long-range missiles, as well as signal processing and geolocation technologies for the U.S. military.
Space Force looking for ‘unity’ in acquisitions despite a medley of agencies
Despite a medley of organizations overseeing space procurements, the Space Force and the intelligence community have stood up a coordinating group to make sure there is “unity of effort,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, commander of the Space Systems Command.
Kendall reorganizes Space Force acquisition office, wants faster merger with Space Development Agency
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall announced Aug. 24 he is reorganizing the office that oversees Space Force acquisition programs.
Biden to nominate CSIS’ Andrew Hunter as top Air Force acquisition executive
President Biden intends to nominate defense procurement expert Andrew Hunter to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics.
National Reconnaissance Office official picked to run Space Force acquisitions command
President Biden has nominated the deputy director of the NRO Maj. Gen. Michael Guetlein for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as commander of the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command.
Space Force pushing procurement reforms but culture change is a slow go
Gen. David Thompson said a shift to buying commercially provided space services is going to take time and will require a cultural adjustment.
Technology race against China a key concern for Pentagon acquisition nominee
Michael Brown, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, was nominated by President Biden to serve as undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.
U.S. Space Force acquisitions to get fresh look, lawmaker wants hearings
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) wants the Biden administration to put pressure on the Space Force to clean up its procurement act.
Space Force planning a ‘disruptive’ acquisitions command
Gen. John Raymond said the Space Force is close to finalizing the layout of its future acquisitions command, a large organization that will consolidate multiple agencies that currently operate independently.
Engineering software firm Ansys to acquire AGI for $700 million
Ansys announced Oct. 26 it intends to acquire space data services provider Analytical Graphics Inc. for $700 million.
Space Force developing a digital strategy for designing and producing future satellites
The Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center will test the use of digital engineering in three satellite programs.
