Will Roper

Rocket engine startup sees opportunities in crowded launch market
The small launch sector is crowded, but Will Roper believes there is still room in the market for suppliers of rocket engines that innovate fast.

Former Air Force procurement chief Will Roper joins board of space startup Ursa Major
Former Air Force procurement official Will Roper joins the board of directors of Ursa Major.

Space Force opens SpaceWERX technology accelerator in Los Angeles
Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, announced Dec. 7 the opening of a technology accelerator office that will work with commercial companies in the space industry.

Roper: Space Force could save money and time with digitally-designed satellites
The goal would be to produce Toyota-like satellites, said Roper, "easy to build but reliable and hard working."

Pentagon keeping an eye on space industry bankruptcies but no actions planned yet
Will Roper: “As we see the Chapter 11’s being filed we are tracking them."

Hundreds of hackers sign up for chance to break into a DoD satellite
Air Force procurement chief Will Roper said hacking competitions help the military identify flaws in its systems before they are deployed.

Space agencies working on a ‘unified message’ on industry stimulus
The Space Acquisition Council is collecting data on the state of the defense supply chain.

Air Force procurement chief: Three space launch providers ‘would be great if we had funding’
Roper: “In a perfect world, we absolutely would continue with more providers."

Space Acquisition Council working to identify industry sectors in ‘immediate distress’
Gen. Raymond: "The COVID crisis must not undermine critical space industries."

Space Acquisition Council to consider new actions to help aerospace industry cope with pandemic
Roper: “Our aerospace industrial base is particularly at risk as commercial markets recede and defense markets slow."

On National Security | Early excitement (and questions) about new Air Force weapons buyer
Recent news about the nomination of Pentagon procurement “disruptor” Will Roper to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition has reverberated across the industry, stirring up speculation about what new ideas he might bring into air and space modernization programs.