A sweeping Space Force acquisition review aimed at enhancing commercial integration has reportedly provided the service with a head start in aligning with several directives from the Trump administration. These directives focused on reforming defense acquisition and incorporating more private sector capabilities into the federal government.
Late in 2022, Frank Calvelli, the former space acquisition executive, alongside Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein, instructed the Space Force’s acquisition offices to explore opportunities for incorporating more commercial capabilities into their programs. This review aimed to identify areas where reliance on custom military systems prevailed over off-the-shelf commercial options, with a secondary goal of achieving cost savings.
Following Calvelli’s departure, Gen. Stephen Purdy took on the acquisition executive role in an acting capacity and has continued the initiative. A final report on the review’s findings is anticipated in the forthcoming months. Purdy has also tasked Space Systems Command, the Space Force’s primary acquisition arm, with conducting market research to identify promising opportunities.
The Space Force’s acquisition review began before an executive order from the White House was issued on April 9, calling for the Defense Department to enhance its acquisition practices to favor commercial solutions. This precedes another order from President Trump, issued on the same day, which mandated federal agencies to review pending contracts for non-commercial products and seek justifications for these contracts.
Col. Richard Kniseley, who heads the Space Force’s commercial space office, remarked during a press briefing on April 9 that the Trump administration’s push for a commercial-first approach in government contracting supports the goals of the Space Force’s internal review. He indicated that substantial groundwork has been laid prior to the executive order.
The Space Force, particularly through Kniseley’s office, has made progress over the last two years in fostering collaboration with commercial firms. Initiatives include enhancing commercial satellite communication procurement, developing contracting mechanisms for increased capacity during conflicts, and integrating commercial tracking and surveillance capabilities. Additionally, the Space Force released its first commercial integration strategy last year and has successfully established a distinct budget line for commercial procurement.
However, to fully realize the objectives of the White House orders, Kniseley emphasized the need for increased funding for commercial products and services, greater personnel resources to manage its commercial portfolio, and enhanced flexibility and authority from Congress regarding budgeting and expenditure.
Kniseley stated that productive discussions have taken place with congressional staffers, especially those from the House Armed Services Committee, who have actively supported the Space Force’s initiatives.
As the Space Force delves further into its acquisition portfolio review, Lt. Gen. Phillip Garrant, head of Space Systems Command, emphasized that all programs are under scrutiny. He asserted that “nobody got a pass,” and all programs must consider potential commercial solutions to meet their requirements.
A concrete example of this review is the Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC), which forms part of a trilateral defense pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, known as AUKUS. The Space Force is spearheading its development while allowing allied nations to host and operate radars.
Northrop Grumman has a contract to construct the first pair of radars, with locations in Western Australia and Wales, and a third site expected in Texas. Col. Bryon McClain, who oversees space domain awareness and combat power, indicated that the Space Force is evaluating various modifications to the program as part of the review process, including the possibility of utilizing commercial products to enhance existing radars.
While this shift may pose challenges, Garrant suggested that the review process is catalyzing a broader cultural shift aimed at integrating existing private sector capabilities into acquisition plans. He summarized the approach as a transformative change in thinking, moving towards actionable commitments that prioritize commercial solutions in defense strategies.
Courtney Albon, a reporter specializing in space and emerging technology for C4ISRNET, has been covering U.S. military operations since 2012 with a concentration on the Air Force and the Space Force, including significant defense acquisition, budget, and policy challenges.
