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House subcommittee presses Pentagon on accelerating space acquisitions while protecting industrial base
Summary
Witnesses told the House Strategic Forces Subcommittee they are accelerating space acquisition using commercial partnerships and new authorities but warned that supply‑chain strains, workforce shortages and program stop-starts risk the industrial base’s ability to meet rising demand.
Chairman Mike DeJarlais and members of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee pressed Pentagon and intelligence witnesses on whether the United States can acquire space capabilities fast enough without hollowing out a competitive industrial base.
Thomas Ainsworth, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, said the department has pivoted “from planning to doing,” emphasizing three priorities: accelerating acquisition transformation, embracing commercial partners and preserving accountability. "We are breaking down bureaucratic stovepipes...and empowering our portfolio acquisition executive warfighters with the requisite authorities to make smart, integrated tradeoffs," he said.
Witnesses described concrete steps to speed delivery. Ainsworth cited expanded use of other transaction authorities (OTAs) and software acquisition pathways to compress timelines. William Adkins of the National Reconnaissance Office said the agency has increased its launch tempo and is fielding proliferated architectures, noting the NRO now has “more than 200 satellites now on orbit” as part of a shift to resilient constellations.
But several members warned that growth imposes real constraints. Rep. John Garamendi said he did not see how the existing industrial base and workforce would handle the projected volume. "History has been kind to you...but overall capacity is just stunning what we're talking about that has to be produced and delivered," he said.
Witnesses acknowledged risks in lower-tier suppliers and workforce pipeline gaps. Adkins and others urged program stability, arguing starts and stops on programs are "highly corrosive to the industrial base." Markham of NGA highlighted regional workforce pilots — including the St. Louis program — to recruit technical talent into GEOINT roles.
The exchange closed with consensus on three needs: sustainable funding signals from government buyers, investments in workforce development, and continued integration of commercial capabilities while holding industry accountable for performance and supply‑chain resilience. The committee did not take formal action; members said they will press these themes as they draft the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.
