[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6055968,"mediaKeyId","3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d","parentId",3313240,"title","Officials outline missile‑warning timeline, satellite‑control upgrades and commercial capacity plans","audioSeconds",1304,"startMs",2035000,"endMs",3339000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d&start=2035&end=3339","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d/thumbnail_2035000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6055968/Officials-outline-missilewarning-timeline-satellitecontrol-upgrades-and-commercial-capacity-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055968-46ae02a5c7024182cfa7caa94889f6a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147121&Signature=NukDgRV7R8dcjdi65MFItcYz0ix843GWvcHycdEb94ewCBw6EsPZDOEyUU8Ixfr9UavRJPYfR80~JKBaPS1-IKvVazu6p1n2mQI1VpfEgPjEl9wcYmZAY-WGLK5rhLTyrIm0vT0j4QH7FTx61g-T9f7SDdA9CRY-Zx2Eh3Kg3gaC2szc9dOvIEfQAnKMr1tZqqllef2iZyoNWnpB1bzmGkScbTFeALDaOKKXgA9fvQDc~X5ojx8JAd4LP3m-NqCYUurZ2yabUcAW4pyh1WyTuLzIUFOI65KjYCd7TMmA8LNT~H9sNpG~B~2irE9uBnjXdHmDJ64EkSw7tr8mCLwGLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Armed Services Committee","date","2025-05-12T16:58:58Z","article","WASHINGTON — Space Force witnesses told a House Armed Services subcommittee that a mix of program launches, ground upgrades and commercial assignments are being used to expand missile‑warning coverage and address satellite control network capacity as the Department of Defense fields more satellites.

Major General Steven Purdy said the Space Development Agency (SDA) tranche‑1 launches are expected to start \"toward the tail end of this summer,\" with missile‑warning capability beginning later this fall and continuing into early next year to reach operational performance. \"They'll launch about, 1, mission or, a set of, of emissions a month,\" he said.

Why it matters: missile warning and tracking are central to homeland defense and to the proposed Golden Dome architecture discussed by members. Rapidly increasing satellite numbers strains command, control and the existing satellite control network (SCN), so Space Force officials are pursuing multiple remedies.

Purdy described the next‑generation SCN upgrade, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system called SCAR, which is on a complex development path with a planned demo this year and a first system to follow thereafter. He said the program is \"too slow for my taste and too slow for the need, but it's going reasonably well.\"

As a complementary approach, Purdy described the Joint Antenna Marketplace (JAM), which will open commercial antenna capacity and orchestration tools to provide additional tasking and worldwide coverage. He said JAM could provide \"hundreds of additional capacity\" and enable machine‑to‑machine orchestration to pick the appropriate SCN, SCAR or commercial endpoint for a given task.

Purdy said a Unified Data Library is in use across multiple Space Force operations centers for positional tracking and interference analysis; the data feed supports common operating pictures for combatant commands and global operations centers.

What was not decided: the committee received timelines and program descriptions but no formal procurement votes or new statutory authorities were created in the open session. Some development pacing, exact delivery dates and costs were described as contingent and in progress.

Committee members said they will continue oversight of test and training architectures, SCN upgrades and use of commercial capacity to ensure integration across operational systems.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","STR Hearing: National Security Space Programs 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Space Force witnesses told a House subcommittee that SDA tranche‑1 launches begin this summer, missile‑warning capability will ramp this fall, and the service is pursuing SCN upgrades and commercial antenna capacity to handle proliferated satellite operations.","taxTitle","Armed Services: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1833,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6055976,"NRO says rapid constellation expansion, commercial partnerships are central to resilience",195,1493000,1688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d&start=1493&end=1688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d/thumbnail_1493000.jpg","/articles/6055976/NRO-says-rapid-constellation-expansion-commercial-partnerships-are-central-to-resilience","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055976-9bead8edfb434da098d22b8ee5d27d3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147121&Signature=mMaIxLtPLcFr6lk4kaJKQjTp4ZlNCAW~eqTQFMiX1Di5qW-MEWJBKpxdjB9wP6lX2PbZf2I5HchChyRxVFLXpan~vb4diHgtU~QDbE1KUoq0VJUb-6n2qxY-y42mQ8cLuOo~YsX0MI-6LpF-yNhrud5hwEjCp8FEpsFjBVVM-Mg3wmlvgZA6OAgAXZxdyngRMuscQSUI6FpV6f1vtCQT9bgtBSWkO1p6BH3NFnfkz0hqL6kZ1rtP41Mwjpf5EsAz71W63p2QlZbIdWO28DZELrim1kDHBC2K8IcIdbqAKDAKu882UwJJVeW17RaBmRJWv3ylKf~mv5VKKvKHTwmCtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WASHINGTON — The director of the National Reconnaissance Office told the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee that the NRO has rapidly expanded satellite capacity and is deepening partnerships with industry, other government agencies and allies to deliver more resilient intelligence capabilities.

\"We are accelerating build out, launch, and operations of the world's most capable, resilient, and technologically advanced satellite constellation,\" Dr. Chris Scolese said in his opening statement. He told members the NRO has \"launched more than 200 satellites to create the largest and most capable government constellation in our nation's history,\" and emphasized investments in ground systems, data fusion and AI to speed information to users.

Why it matters: committee members and witnesses framed proliferation, diversification of orbits and commercial integration as ways to improve resiliency against adversary counter‑space activities. Supporters said rapid fielding and diversified suppliers make it harder for rivals to blind U.S. forces.

Scolese described the NRO’s approach as combining government and commercial buses, launch services and multiple phenomenologies (electro‑optical, radar, RF) and fusing commercial streams with national datasets to provide analysts and warfighters faster, more actionable information. He noted the agency’s continued emphasis on workforce and partnerships: \"Developing leading research in areas like photonics, quantum sensing, advanced materials, and AIML prepare us for the future.\" He also cited the agency’s fiscal stewardship: the NRO completed its sixteenth consecutive clean financial statement audit, he said.

Members asked how NRO integrates Space Force guardians and how that relationship benefits both organizations. Scolese said about a third of NRO personnel are uniformed service members—many guardians contribute engineering and acquisition expertise—and that the exchange strengthens acquisition practice across organizations.

What was not claimed: witnesses described rapid expansion and partnerships but did not supply programmatic FY26 line‑item details in the open hearing. Budget specifics and exact counts of active satellites beyond witness statements were not entered into the public record for the session.

The committee will continue oversight of NRO activities via follow‑up questions and requests for documentation in the record.","The National Reconnaissance Office told a House subcommittee it has accelerated launches and is leveraging commercial technology and allied partnerships to build a more resilient intelligence constellation while investing in ground architecture, AI, and workforce development.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6055980,"Panel questions cuts to commercial imagery funding as agencies expand private‑sector partnerships",1475,1063000,2538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d&start=1063&end=2538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d/thumbnail_1063000.jpg","/articles/6055980/Panel-questions-cuts-to-commercial-imagery-funding-as-agencies-expand-privatesector-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055980-d35c4dbe11b7db9857a041ca088094f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147121&Signature=L-JGEJaJ-yfgyc3~DlQH3ADntYRj1~VeKGnJu67Sn8iRqFLPuJ6wVY4c4Chc3bzS498snJ2a0LD9~~g8YZs-1JnkRuQoKu6ZDeVXRJTafS6qqn~k5vKGwIWM05eV5fXGfSNk9Vecx~HOCcDG1owanvt5yB4JrgFArirgIV6Sx8zVnOzIlZnUYL-G4v7STLYK50tSHSekXxPnTCnjSNqqPPd7tsmcgqi-G3NPOHh2N-9iRchMYliAKnC-bkWCP1ZUyCAZ5BJxTajBfZX0aLSaEPXSs3z~90FgjMONLXM8J6yuLb9VQqy4obmYGH3jO-Wkn80Fh1xnQcoxD8Nyv1lgng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WASHINGTON — Lawmakers and witnesses at the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing debated the growing role of commercial space companies in national security and flagged reported reductions to FY26 commercial imagery funding.

Ranking Member Seth Moulton said he was \"especially concerned about the rumor that the National Reconnaissance Office at the direction of OMB has slashed commercial imagery funding lines in the FY26 budget.\" He and other members urged agencies to preserve commercial buys and to avoid narrowing the supplier base.

Why it matters: Committee members and agency officials described commercial remote sensing, radio frequency (RF) data and analytics as critical to a proliferated, resilient architecture. Lawmakers said cutting commercial lines could slow coverage expansion and hamper the government’s ability to surge data in crises.

Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, director of the National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency, said NGA relies on a mix of national technical means, proliferated DoD architectures, international contributions and commercial sources. He described efforts such as bailment agreements, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts and large solicitations (citing the \"Luna a and b\" efforts) to bring commercial analytics and imagery into service quickly.

Dr. Chris Scolese, director of the National Reconnaissance Office, described the NRO’s approach to commercial partnerships as a blend of using commercial buses, launch services and electro‑optical/radar/RF data and fusing those streams with national data to make them more available to customers. He rebutted suggestions that government and commercial buys duplicate effort by saying the NRO, NGA and partners are coordinating to provide better access to fused data.

Agency officials and members also discussed tools and processes intended to prevent duplicate purchases. Vice Admiral Whitworth highlighted the joint mission management center (JMMC) and NGA’s role in coordinating commercial imagery buys to ensure the taxpayer \"only pays once.\" He also noted NGA’s efforts to make commercial data available in unclassified ways for operational users.

What witnesses did not confirm on the record: an agency official said budget details for FY26 remained incomplete in the hearing record; members framed concerns about OMB direction and flat top lines but no written confirmation of specific FY26 commercial reductions was entered in the open session.

The subcommittee did not take formal action in the open hearing. Members said they would pursue further information on FY26 budget allocations and on interagency mechanisms to share commercial data and prevent redundant purchases.","Members raised concerns about reported cuts to FY26 commercial imagery lines and pressed witnesses from NRO, NGA and Space Force on how commercial data and analytics are being integrated to speed capabilities and avoid redundant purchases across government.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6055984,"House subcommittee presses for stronger space acquisition workforce, faster procurement",1408,748000,2156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d&start=748&end=2156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3313240-c336fdc8af776f884ec76cd42a66850d/thumbnail_748000.jpg","/articles/6055984/House-subcommittee-presses-for-stronger-space-acquisition-workforce-faster-procurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055984-4aede98aea15e389897b6df2e8748080/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147121&Signature=e0Rcu4-2HYry1fiKW0LSdNGOBHo7g7ziPqm-2fwI4TQeEIsT5B2Cxzfzfn0Amv28NYyj0HHaaEtSWpx4kK2mVJOffUHn7WV6Mj6joXFGbR33hAGlFLtyF9vJA5exEuzhOjWJN2vB9gpISibEnOywD97zDpvD3jESF5JABmid7uBmsMxxazs3OC2q2hozEz1Fbr7dLUSuNg1Pigol-cCml1YybyGrZXDwOevF6sKrwojJK7-NM6-3TWsoobB~y6Ntf7V5iZmwL~1yvT~qOCc1gjltoowgygheiInFG~on0jzUxZV5C4E5rUiZILPxl3x3JrhILnmN3SnPxl9E2a~nRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee said Wednesday that the United States needs a stronger, better-supported space acquisition workforce and faster procurement pathways to deliver systems the military needs to operate and prevail in contested space.

The concern centered on people as much as platforms. \"Space Force has already lost over 14% of its civilian acquisition workforce at Space Systems Command,\" Ranking Member Seth Moulton said during opening remarks, warning that losses of contracting and engineering talent risk program execution and institutional knowledge.

Why it matters: witnesses and members said procurement speed and workforce depth affect the U.S. ability to build resilient constellations, protect warfighters and disrupt rival \"kill webs\" that enable enemy targeting. Lawmakers argued that acquisition career paths, authorities that permit rapid starts and greater flexibility in constrained funding environments are central to those aims.

Major General Steven Purdy, the acting official overseeing certain Space Force acquisition authorities, described steps the service is taking to adapt. He said Space Force has increased use of other transaction authorities and rapid software pathways—\"we've increased our OTAs by 470% and increased our software pathways by 350%\"—and that the service is working on workforce career plans for program managers and engineers to provide longer-term billets and experience.

Purdy also described acquisition tradeoffs used in recent programs. On a follow-on to the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSAP), he said Space Force worked with requirements officials to identify requirements that could be relaxed to enable commercial buses and faster build times: \"If we turned off certain requirements, how much faster they could go. That revealed interesting data ... they could shave off about a third of the time and over half the cost.\" He said the requirements community signed off and the program office is proceeding on a more commercial line.

Members pressed for more concrete steps to stabilize staffing. Several members urged Congress and DOD to prioritize authority and funding flexibility to start programs earlier during continuing resolutions. When asked what single change he would make to speed acquisitions, Purdy said: \"Flexibility of funds, particularly in CR environments ... ability to do quick starts ... while we're waiting for the big bill, I think, is probably 1 of the most number 1 things I would poke at.\"

Ranking Member Moulton and others also emphasized the need to treat acquisition experience as a valued career path within the Space Force so officers do not leave for higher-paying commercial opportunities. Witnesses described cross-service and interagency career movement—about a third of the National Reconnaissance Office workforce is military, and many of those are Space Force guardians embedded for engineering and acquisition roles—but said civilian and contractor expertise remains critical.

The subcommittee held no formal votes during the open session. Members said they expect continued oversight and follow-up as the services implement workforce plans and pursue acquisition reforms.

Looking ahead: lawmakers signaled support for continuing acquisition reforms in this year’s defense authorization process and for monitoring how personnel changes affect program schedules and performance.","Members of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee pressed Defense and intelligence witnesses on the need to rebuild and retain a skilled acquisition workforce and to speed procurement of space systems, citing recent workforce losses and new commercial pathways that could shorten timelines and lower costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Officials outline missile‑warning timeline, satellite‑control upgrades and commercial capacity plans

NRO says rapid constellation expansion, commercial partnerships are central to resilience

Panel questions cuts to commercial imagery funding as agencies expand private‑sector partnerships

House subcommittee presses for stronger space acquisition workforce, faster procurement