Tag: space force
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Space Force acquisition office arrives from L.A., bringing focus on testing and training
As the Department of Defense works to reform its troubled procurement process, one of the powerful new Space Force portfolio acquisition executives is settling into Colorado Springs. Col. Richard Beckman arrived in town in early August and will oversee an office of 300 people responsible for purchasing new training and test systems, personnel management infrastructure,…
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Nearly $1 billion in Space Force test and training work coming to Colorado-connected companies
The Space Force is seeking advanced training systems to ensure Guardians remain on top of complexities in space, which is increasingly becoming a contested environment. It has tapped 15 companies to develop the National Space Test and Training Complex Innovative Technology and Engineering’s Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR). All of the companies listed in a…
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General charged with Golden Dome raises alarm over future funding
The general leading the efforts to develop the new Golden Dome missile defense system raised concerns this week that the next phase of funding might not come through. Gen. Mike Guetlein spoke about Golden Dome funding during the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Ala., and pointed out that the $17 billion the Pentagon…
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Space Force should measure workforce needs as it prepares to double in size, GAO report says
The Space Force needs more people. It’s just not precisely sure how many more. A Government Accountability Office report released earlier this month found that the youngest and smallest military branch does not have a process to consistently or accurately determine how many people it needs. The Space Force agreed and said it would work…
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EDITORIAL: Colorado holds key to the Golden Dome
News last week that Colorado’s Louisville-based Sierra Space has landed a $798 million federal contract to design and build 18 missile warning and tracking satellites reaffirms our state’s pivotal role in the nation’s defense in outer space. It also illustrates the formidable potential of the aerospace sector for the state’s economy. Even as one door…
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Space Force offers bonuses for eight-year commitments
The Space Force is offering bonuses to incoming enlisted members who commit to serve eight years. The pilot program opened July 1 and will run through Nov. 30, according to a news release. Enlisted members typically serve four to six years. But since Space Force guardians spend two years training, longer contract periods will help…
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Likely next Space Force chief faces few questions at Senate hearing
The next likely leader of the Space Force, Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess faced a short, nonconfrontational hearing Thursday morning in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Schiess is expected to succeed chief of space operations Gen. Chance Saltzman as the top leader of the young military branch, which maintains a large footprint in Colorado…
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Colorado Springs cybersecurity firm moves into new building, wins major GPS contract
A cybersecurity and defense contractor headquartered in Colorado Springs is settling into its new home. Apogee Engineering announced in May that it had opened its new headquarters. The new location at 9910 Federal Drive gives the company 34,000 square feet for office space and training, it announced via press release. The company employs approximately 600…
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Schriever Space Force Base prepares for new buildings, nearby housing amid workspace crunch
As the Space Force prepares to double in size over the next five years, Schriever Space Force Base is preparing for growth, both inside and outside the gate. The base near Colorado 94 east of town is already booming with more than 7,000 employees, counting contractors, and an economic impact of around $1 billion, said…
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Lockheed to build 2 more GPS IIIF satellites as Space Force modernizes constellation
The Space Force has picked Lockheed Martin for a $514 million contract to build two more GPS III Follow-on satellites. With the new contract, Lockheed Martin will build a total of 14 GPS IIIF satellites at its space division headquarters and manufacturing facility in Littleton, the company announced Monday. In 2018, the Air Force selected…