▶ 0:10:45Okay, today's hearing will come to Pursuant to rule 4B3, members of the House Armed Services Committee who are not members of the subcommittee are allowed to participate in today's hearing and will be recognized after all subcommittee members have had the opportunity to ask questions. The Strategic Forces Subcommittee meets today to receive testimony on the policies and programs related to the national security space activities. Good afternoon to our witnesses and thank you for joining us today.
▶ 0:11:14Before us, we have and completing the committee hat trick is Ms. Andrea Yaffe, three weeks in a row, thank you. The Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We have Dr. Chris Scolese, the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, the director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. And Major General Stephen Purdy, the Acting Assistant Director of the Air Force Space Acquisition Integration.
▶ 0:11:44We appreciate your time today and your Dr. Scolese, I understand this will be your last hearing with us. We appreciate your service and the good work you've done at the NRO. Unfortunately, still do not have programmatic details for the President's budget request for fiscal year 2026, but the top line number did give us some The space systems and people provided by the organizations you all represent are foundational to the security of our nation and the joint force.
▶ 0:12:15This is why it is so important that we have the ability to fight and win in It is not enough to simply provide important information like missile warning, PNT, and nuclear command and control in all stages of the conflict.
▶ 0:12:28Now, we must be able to hold at risk the CCP kill web that enables space-based targeting and tracking of our terrestrial forces and extends the range and accuracy of their Our ability to break this kill web will determine the success or failure of the joint force and its objectives in the That requires having the right systems in relevant timeline.
▶ 0:12:51I want to associate myself with Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith who have been calling attention to it, not only how we buy things and the broken acquisition processes, but also the people doing the acquiring. Specifically regarding the Space Force, they have raised concerns with how these acquisition professionals are developed, trained, and given opportunities to advance in their careers.
▶ 0:13:14As we work to make sure we are developing a force that can fight and win in space, we must also make sure that the platforms they will need to break those kill webs are delivered on time and on budget. That starts with having highly trained acquisition professionals.
▶ 0:13:28Every Guardian supports the war fighting This means that time spent at Space Systems Command figuring out how to bring more non-traditional companies into the mix is just as important as time spent at Delta 9 conducting orbital This subcommittee is proudly where Space Force got its start. We will in a bar bipartisan way continue to push to make sure that it stays the course and achieves that original vision of improving space acquisitions.
▶ 0:13:56I look forward to hearing updates today from our witnesses on some of your programs and how you're working to speed up that acquisition timeline so that we can deliver needed systems to the force. Major General Purdy, I'm glad to see that you aren't standing still despite serving in an acting capacity.
▶ 0:14:13Your recent announcement of the new acquisition plan for the follow-on to the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program or GSAP that calls for more commercially developed technology and diversity the uh to the supplier base is just the type of innovation we need. Dr.
▶ 0:14:28Scolese, the NRO's rapid deployment of its proliferated constellation of more than 150 satellites over the past 2 years has not only given you the largest government constellation, but has been a great example of how we can move Vice Admiral Whitworth, the recent awarding of task orders for commercial imagery analysis on your Luno A program and the funding of the Luno B program focused on commercial AI are exactly the kind of commercial integration we need to stay ahead of our adversaries. Finally, Ms.
▶ 0:14:57Shaffy, all these efforts are underpinned by our policies in How your office is planning for the increased testing, training, and changing operational norms to support these new systems and war fighting doctrine will be incredibly important. With that, I now recognize my good friend and ranking member, Mr. Moulton, for his opening remarks. Thank you very much, Chairman DeGette, and welcome to our panel of witnesses. Dr. Scolese, I understand this will be your last hearing in front of the subcommittee.
▶ 0:15:25Thank you for your dedicated service to our nation and your steadfast commitment in to transforming the NRO into an organization prepared to face the threats we face in space today and into the future. Our national security space architecture is undergoing a significant transformation and it must transform because life as we know it relies on satellites. The global positioning system developed, launched, and operated by the Space Force is the most obvious. Most people don't realize all the things that depend on GPS.
▶ 0:15:55For example, it provides the timing information that makes our entire financial system function. Without it, you wouldn't be able to use your credit card, withdraw money from a bank account, and Wall Street would cease all trading. It's also no secret that almost every weapon system in our inventory depends on space, whether for communications, navigations, or intelligence.
▶ 0:16:14Over the past 30 years of US operations in the Middle East, Russia and China have watched our reliance on space and have deployed and demonstrated capabilities to hold our satellites and therefore our way of war at risk. The People's Republic of China has now launched over a thousand satellites into orbit, 70% of those in the last five And they include systems that could be used as weapons in space. And as we all know now, Russia's developing a space-based nuclear weapon.
▶ 0:16:45If launched, it would be in direct violation of the outer space treaty and if detonated, it would degrade or destroy nearly every satellite in its As I've noted before, that includes any space-based interceptor constellation that might be part of the president's golden dome. One push of a button could destroy trillions of dollars of investment and make low Earth orbit unusable for years.
▶ 0:17:07Obviously, any nation willing to launch a massive nuclear attack on us would not hesitate to quickly take out our Understanding how urgent this race for space superiority has become, the last administration continued diversifying DOD space systems by leveraging a massive US advantage, our rapidly expanding commercial space industry. Across the board, there are companies outpacing DOD innovation in satellite communications, remote sensing, space domain awareness, and defending our satellites on orbit.
▶ 0:17:35Yet, despite consistent pressure from the subcommittee, the culture shift to maximize the benefit of commercial space continues to meet considerable resistance. I'm 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. More broadly, DOD's flat topline for FY26 undoubtedly means that the Space Force will be taking a cut. I was willing to criticize the previous administration for failing to invest more in space, and I will criticize this one for the same failure.
▶ 0:18:06This mistake is especially stark when considering the billions thrown after Golden Dome with no plan or forethought. I know the White House is putting all their hopes and dreams into the {quote} one beautiful bill for reconciliation, but as my Republican colleagues know, this bill faces serious hurdles, and there is immense risk in assuming that money will be there. Cuts to the Space Force would be catastrophic. I'm also seriously concerned about the health of the workforce carrying out these vital missions.
▶ 0:18:34Civilians perform critical roles in areas like contracting and engineering, and the Space Force has been hit disproportionately hard by this administration's goal to demonize federal employees. As I said before, America has a robust commercial space sector. Most of these people could work fewer hours for a lot more money at these companies, but they work for DOD because they care about the mission. Space Force has already lost over 14% of its civilian acquisition workforce at Space Systems Command, thanks to Elon Musk.
▶ 0:19:03And the most talented people with the most other options generally make up the voluntary departures under DOD. I am sure Mr. Musk has no problem with having more talented people to hire while having lower oversight of his SpaceX contracts, but this careless decimation of the Space Force civilian workforce is unacceptable and we must stop the bleed. These losses are compounded by concerns regarding the future for early career acquisition Guardians.
▶ 0:19:28As the Space Force builds out its new officer pipelines, I'm concerned that prioritizing operations over acquisition, just as the chairman mentioned, will negatively impact the department's ability to smartly and flexibly acquire the space capabilities we need and lower the expertise within the service to do so. If Guardians continue to hear from their leadership that operations is the only way to contribute to the Space Force, they have options to go work for any number of space companies who heavily recruit them today.
▶ 0:19:53I recall that the committee stood up the service part in part because of a desire to change the historically poor track record of space acquisitions. Space is a fascinating and infinite domain. Until recently, we only really experienced through the lens of science fiction, but in reality, space has been a part of our daily lives since the dawn of the space race. Our warfighters everywhere, on the ground, under the sea, in the air, depend on space. I look forward to today's discussion with our witnesses on how best to maintain US superiority in space and how we can address the many concerns that challenge it.
▶ 0:20:23Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank the ranking member for his comments. We'll now move to opening statements from our witnesses. I would note that your full prepared statements will be made part of the record, but you will each have 4 minutes to make your opening remarks today. Ms. Yaffee, let's begin with you. Thank you, Chairman DeGette, ranking member Moulton, and distinguished members of the committee. Thank you for inviting me to testify before you on the Department of Defense's national security space programs on behalf of the office of the Secretary of Defense.
▶ 0:20:54I'm honored to appear alongside my colleagues from the Department of the Air Force and the intelligence community. Certainly pleased to be back. The United States seeks a secure, stable, and accessible space domain to allow for its continued use for commercial, scientific, and national security activities. Space and space programs remain central to the Department's core mission of deterring conflict and ensuring our national security.
▶ 0:21:18Space systems enable our nuclear forces, our nuclear command, control, and communications, or NC3, strategic warning, missile defense, communications, global force protection, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. Space will also be essential to the golden dome for America architecture. The president, secretary, and indeed the entire joint force rely on the capabilities provided by our space architecture each day.
▶ 0:21:44China and Russia recognize the United States' reliance on space, and they are both developing and fielding counterspace capabilities designed to deny our freedom of action in space and to target US forces on Earth. These developments pose an increasing and unacceptable threat to the United States and our allies and partners, including the commercial space sector.
▶ 0:22:05Space superiority is thus crucial to achieving peace through strength in the face of these threats, principally through deterrence and defense in peacetime, but also by enabling the joint force to prevail in all stages of conflict if deterrence fails. Specifically, space superiority is integral to the interim national defense strategic guidance's priorities of defending the homeland and deterring China by denying their ability to confidently hold the joint force at risk.
▶ 0:22:32Our ongoing investments seek to ensure the Department establish space superiority, assure critical space-enabled missions, retain capabilities to deny adversary hostile uses of space, and ensure the joint force continues to have access to and freedom to operate in space. Space also presents unique opportunities to integrate the commercial sector and to increase burden sharing with our allies and partners.
▶ 0:22:56The innovative capabilities, scalable production capacity, and rapid technology refresh rates of the US commercial sector are competitive advantages that the department is leveraging to enhance our national security space programs. There is tremendous potential to build on the success of commercial providers to increase the lethality of the joint force and enhance our ability to defend the homeland and to deter China.
▶ 0:23:20As for allies and partners, they help ensure the department is effectively postured and positioned around the globe to address the growing magnitude and vectors of threats in from and to space. The aspiration of other countries to invest in space security has given rise to new opportunities to cooperate across the spectrum of conflict, share the burden of defense, and strengthen deterrence.
▶ 0:23:43The department remains committed to making the necessary investments in our space programs to deter our adversaries and, if deterrence fails, to prevail in conflict. This mission requires sufficient and consistent funding and support. Thank you for your dedication to our mission and to our service members and for the opportunity to testify to you today alongside my distinguished colleagues. I look forward to answering your Thank you, Ms. Yaffee. Uh Dr. Scolese, you're recognized.
▶ 0:24:11Thank you, Chairman Dizarle, Ranking Member Moulton, and members of the subcommittee. I'm honored to join you along with my colleagues, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Major General Purdy and Vice Admiral Whitworth, and to represent the people of the National Reconnaissance Office. For 64 years, the NRO has been at the leading edge of innovation, developing space-based capabilities that advance our national security.
▶ 0:24:35Today, the NRO is building on that legacy and moving faster than ever before thanks to the technical expertise and talent of our small and highly effective workforce. Today, we are accelerating buildout, launch, and operations of the world's most capable, resilient, and technologically advanced satellite We are strengthening the capabilities and security of our ground architecture, and we are deepening our partnerships across government, private industry, academia, and with our allies.
▶ 0:25:05Our mission is clear, to achieve the president's objective of peace through This is especially critical as our competitors are seeking to deny our strategic advantage in space. With Congress's continued support, we will ensure America remains the world's leader in space-based intelligence, surveillance, and Over the past 2 years, the NRO has dramatically transformed our space operations, launching more than 200 satellites to create the largest and most capable government constellation in our nation's history,
▶ 0:25:36providing data to our partners sitting with me here today, as well as to our partners in NSA and other organizations. With the support of Congress, the NRO will continue to invest in capabilities that are helping to solve some of the toughest intelligence challenges of our Employing advanced technologies makes it harder for our adversaries to hide, giving the US decision advantage. Using different orbits and proliferating our systems allow us to track more objects more reliably.
▶ 0:26:06Diversifying systems in space and on the ground increases resilience. Employing AI techniques and advanced data systems allowed us allows us to provide more information faster to especially intelligence analysts, policymakers, and warfighters, allowing them to make critical decisions with the best information.
▶ 0:26:28Developing leading edge research in areas like photonics, quantum sensing, advanced materials, and AI/ML prepare us for the future. All of these advanced capabilities, as well as those in development, allow us to support current challenges like the crisis in Ukraine, and support the interdiction of narcotics traff- trafficking, as well as preparing for the future. The NRO's talented workforce is delivering these capabilities, but we can't do it alone.
▶ 0:26:57We are continuing to build partnerships across the government, academia, industry, and with allied nations that will now us to label and enable and now allow us to enable us to leverage innovative Working with intelligence community partners, our world-class constellations and grounded architectures will fuse data collections. For example, working with DIA, we accredited tools and capabilities to enable data fusion, improving intelligence outcomes.
▶ 0:27:26We have a close and productive relationship with NASA and the US Space Force to support coordinated investment in space. Through an increasing number of commercial partnerships, we're leveraging commercial satellite buses, launch services, and data from electro-optical to radar and RF, as well as other phenomenologies. We're fusing commercial data streams with national data streams and making them more readily available to our customers.
▶ 0:27:53In conclusion, the NRO's continued success in maintaining our competitive advantage and keeping America safe depends on our continued ability to innovate our innovate our investments in our workforce and our partnerships, and on Congress' continued support for the Our responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars is best illustrated by our 16th consecutive clean financial statement On behalf of the entire NRO workforce, I appreciate the opportunity to appear for you today.
▶ 0:28:22Thank you for your time, and I look forward to answering your Thank you, doctor. Admiral Whitworth, you're recognized. Good afternoon, distinguished members of the subcommittee. I'm honored to appear before you with my teammates. The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency's, or NGA, mission is the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict features and geographically referenced activities on or about the earth and in space.
▶ 0:28:51The geospatial intelligence or GEOINT for short we produce provides warfighters, policy makers, intelligence professionals, and first responders the information they require to develop and carry out national security objectives that defend the homeland, secure US interests abroad, and protect Americans serving in harm's way.
▶ 0:29:11Space-based systems play a critical role in supporting the US national security strategy and are a primary source for the data NGA gathers to develop and produce GEOINT. Our global competitors also share an appreciation for the space domain and value the advantage that space-based platforms offer to further their own objectives.
▶ 0:29:32Indeed, China's and Russia's space activities have become increasingly concerning as both have developed and fielded counterspace capabilities including progressively more capable multi-sensor systems designed to hold US space-based systems at risk. NGA's motto, know the world, show the from seabed to space, reflects our responsibility to understand and distinguish these developments in a dynamic changing world, not only in space but across all domains.
▶ 0:30:03We achieve this with a team that is spread across more than 200 sites including more than 20 countries around the world embedded at most warfighting headquarters, many government agencies, numerous service intelligence centers, and at every combatant command and intelligence agency.
▶ 0:30:21Gathering the day the data and imagery necessary to characterize the activities and operations of our adversaries from the earth to space is not a simple The key to that effort is NGA's informed collection orchestration process. This process, developed with centuries of collective expertise, is how NGA professionals and mission partners choreograph an increasingly complex and capable constellation of space-based GEOINT assets.
▶ 0:30:48In the past year, NGA took a giant leap to improve this process establishing the Joint Mission Management Center, JMMC, with the United States Space Force joining warfighters and intelligence professionals under NGA's roof to decrease the gap between collection requests and delivery.
▶ 0:31:06The JMMC is central to ensuring our warfighters and intelligence professionals receive the imagery and analysis they need and The expanding opportunities for space-based GEOINT collection, including national technical means and commercial sources, are generating a data deluge that will, if we harness it, allow us to support the demands and needs of warfighters in the future.
▶ 0:31:31Through programs like NGA Maven, we are collaborating with warfighting headquarters around the world to continue providing the right GEOINT data when and where it is needed. Finally, I would like to highlight NGA's responsibility for guaranteeing the accuracy of GPS and maintaining the World Geodetic System 1984, or WGS84, a reference frame, the backbone for all These efforts are central to improving
▶ 0:32:01GPS geolocation accuracy for warfighters and government civil agencies alike, guaranteeing assured precision, navigation, timing, and targeting. In closing, NGA relies greatly upon data obtained from space.
▶ 0:32:17As our nation sharpens its focus in the domain, we embrace our partners at US Space Force, US Space Com, and NRO, ensuring that we maximize the potential of GEOINT to help understand adversary space and counterspace threats. Thank you, and I look forward to answering your Thank you, Admiral. General Purdy, you're recognized. Chairman uh Desaulniers, uh Ranking Member Moulton, and distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to testify today.
▶ 0:32:46Uh as military deputy, I first want to thank you for the NDAA authority to serve as the acting SAE. Um it's allowed me to give direction, sign off acquisition uh plans, and actually make substantive change, and I really do thank you for that. I tell our acquisition uh community that it's our job to deliver integrated uh capability for the warfighter. And we've had multiple successes over this uh past several months.
▶ 0:33:08Back in August, we launched uh two uh EPS-R uh payloads that uh rideshared on uh Norway Um these provided calm in the northern polar region, and this international partnership allowed the US government to save $900 million. Uh Uh over the year, um our newer OT&E our test and training SPO organization has been able to deliver multiple trainers and multiple training injects into our war games uh to satisfy operational desires.
▶ 0:33:37Uh in January, the United Data uh the Unified Data Library provided critical uh support to the presidential inauguration, supporting counter uh small UAS operations ingesting over 1.4 uh data tracks. In April, we had a big month. We launched our first NSS Phase 3 mission. It was four the in a row, uh and was only 6 months after the Uh later in April, uh Space Force operationally accepted the weather system uh follow-on, and it helped us close six of 12 gaps.
▶ 0:34:06And then finally, we operationally accepted the S2E2 system, which is a mobile ground system that supports OPIR. But in addition to delivering capability, it's also our job to figure out ways to go faster. Over the last 2 years, the Space Force has increased our OTAs by 470% and increased our software pathways by Um an example from last year, the RGPS system, we went from RFP to award in 71 days, mimicking the space development agencies type of timelines.
▶ 0:34:35And speaking of SDA, they continue to press forward with their speedy acquisition contract timelines as well as their launches coming up this summer. Additionally, we're big fans and use work with space works quite frequently on the stratifies and tech fives and SBIRs. Over 1,000 contracts have been awarded through that mechanism and excitingly we've been able to leverage and over one almost 1 billion dollars of venture capital money external funds have been able to be collaboratively used for space force missions.
▶ 0:35:06In addition to other collaboration with the space force, we're using the SAE authorities in addition to the space force requirements authorities and going after program requirements figuring out ways that we can dial down requirements and get after the the speed of commercial delivery. Our next plan is to go after our operational acceptance and test timelines as well. Most importantly on the acquisition workforce, it was mentioned here a few times.
▶ 0:35:31We're working workforce career plans for both the program managers and the engineers and we're thinking through how we can get after longer PM timelines both early in their career to get after the reps and sets needed to understand our business and then later in their career when they're actually running as a program manager. And finally my deepest thanks to the entire acquisition engineering financial contracting legal communities. These communities work extremely long hours under stressful situations.
▶ 0:36:01They're constantly dealing with new companies and new ways of business and they do tremendous. And so my deep thanks to all their work. And finally I look forward to all your questions. Thank you very And thank you all for your opening remarks. We'll now turn to member questions. I'll start by recognizing myself for five minutes. General Birdie, you touched on some of this in your opening remarks, but I mentioned your recent announcement about the GSA acquisition plan. Can you talk a little bit about how you approach that and specifically how you worked with the requirements community.
▶ 0:36:31Yes, sir. That's actually a pretty exciting accomplishment that we've been able to do. So, that started from last year's efforts on the resilient GPS program, where we explored the commercial capability that was there, and we found that bus prices, satellite bus prices, were less expensive at meal than we thought, and we found that there was more capability for payloads than we thought. So, then last year, we did an RFI, request for information out to on the GSAP program, and we got quite a wide variety of responses.
▶ 0:36:59Um we weren't able to proceed due to classification issues. So, then I worked with US Space Command and the Space Force requirement side and the leadership to understand what their trade-offs might be. They expressed a willingness to trade off requirements. So, then I went back to the SPO, and the SPO listed out all of the different current activities and the speed that they could do with the current system, and then what the commercial side could do, and if we turned off certain requirements, how much faster they could go.
▶ 0:37:27That revealed interesting data to include they could go they could shave off about a third of the time and over half the cost. So, we packaged that up, worked with the Space Force requirements community. They agreed to that, signed off on that requirements drop. And then we were able to get out to the system program office. So, we're off working now that program office to go start off a more commercial line.
▶ 0:37:52And when I say commercial in this particular aspect, just to clarify, this is accomplishing the same GSAP mission. Our operators will fly the GSAP system using the same ground systems and data they do now, but these would be using faster commercial build times, cheaper build times, and cheaper less expensive um parts in order to bring that together in a faster sense. On the resilient GPS, what requirement does it fill for the service?
▶ 0:38:21And and I think you touched on but how is that acquisition process been Sure. So on our GPS the resilient GPS so the requirement we're going after there is something that our SWAC analytical arm in the space force and the defense science board both flagged and that's a resiliency need for the GPS enterprise. It is one of our most proliferated in the current sense but yet it won't it will soon be one of our least proliferated.
▶ 0:38:46And it's vulnerable given the fact that the GPS constellation is relatively small number is reachable by direct ascent And supports such an important military and commercial mission. And so the initial thinking was we used NDAA granted quick start authority to start up the RGPs program and we're looking to add more resiliency and more numbers and that's the basic intent.
▶ 0:39:15The acquisition plan was essentially we went out to industry. We actually didn't think that we were going to get much to be honest with you. It was a surprise to us and a major learning portion for us learning learning of our last year. The satellite prices had they were low in Leo already but they had they were lowering in Mio and so that convinced us that we should proceed with it.
▶ 0:39:35The results have actually been more surprising and encouraging than we thought the the buses actually bring a higher power level than our current program of record does which allows us to punch through jamming in a in a better sense and so we can achieve better results we think over time going after these commercial buses. So that's actually caused me to think for our main GPS system we're actually looking at that for alternative ways to get after that like RGPs. Dr.
▶ 0:40:04Sclese I got about a minute here but can you talk a little bit about the role that space force Guardians play in the work of the NRO and what you see is the value both the NRO and space force get out of that arrangement. Certainly yeah they they play a a very vital role in in it. As you know, about a third of our workforce is military and the largest component of that military are the Guardians.
▶ 0:40:26And they serve roles for principally in in engineering and in some of our, you know, most important systems as as you're well aware. Particularly as I I mentioned the the roughly 200 satellites we've launched over the last couple of years. They were largely done with with Guardians because we knew where the ultimate utilization of them is.
▶ 0:40:52At the same time, they also bring the wealth of knowledge of what the Space Force needs so that we can go off and work together. And I believe that working together, we help grow them and show them our acquisition philosophy and they take that back to the Space Force as well. And we also gain from them their learning from from Space Force. So, they're a very vital part of our organization. Thank you. My time has expired.
▶ 0:41:20I now recognize the ranking member for his Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. We've had a lot of discussions on this committee about how space is becoming not just strategically important but tactically important to the warfighter. Vice Admiral Mitworth, excuse me, in your opening statement you emphasized the global presence of NGA personnel embedded with warfighters. How specifically are those personnel training or educating warfighters to better leverage commercial commercial GEOINT capabilities? Thank you, sir, for the question.
▶ 0:41:49So, at every combatant command JTF joint task force, every service intel center, every we're going to have what we call an NGA support team that's that makes the essence of your question they're calling. How to ensure that they get as much GEOINT at a at a place where it can provide decision advantage for that commander. Commercial, your specific question is so important when you think about the four parts of GEOINT.
▶ 0:42:16We've got national technical means, we got the proliferated architecture of DOD, we've got international contributions, and then there's commercial. Commercial is potentially so agile uh that it can fill gaps we may not otherwise have. It's also important uh to the mission in being able to express maybe to partners in a very immediate way, in an unclassified way, uh uh the meaning of what's happening in the world without giving up something that's more exquisite in national technical means.
▶ 0:42:45Should Congress consider expanding tactical surveillance reconnaissance and tracking authorities to allow DOD elements to procure procure commercial data directly, especially raw imagery, uh to better meet these time-sensitive operational requirements? It's a It's a It's a valid point, sir, and I would just offer we do have a responsibility at least in NGA, and I'm sure that the and this is consistent with what I've received from oversight, to ensure that the taxpayer only pays once.
▶ 0:43:12So, we we as we establish that denominator, somebody has to actually know what's coming from NTM, what's coming from uh from the proliferated architecture, and then what is left that we still haven't bought, and then make sure we don't buy it twice. So, I would just I would just caution that we not uh create a situation where everyone's buying the same the concern, but like I mean it's 2025. Like, this should be pretty easy to figure out with technology. We should be able to do it.
▶ 0:43:39Yes, sir, and with the uh with the advent of a system that we call Slim Jims, all of the all of the combatant commands actually can use Slim Jims to see that denominator. That's right. General Purdy, Dr. Scolese, do you have any comments on on this question? Um so it it's on the Space Force to side to figure out sort of that relationship in the ops background, and so I'm going to focus focus more on the acquisition side. I know on our TAC SRT piece we've got relationships where we can go uh take quick turn task.
▶ 0:44:10We can feed the data with NGA and there's pending MOUs that are heading in that direction. Um, and I'll defer to Dr. Scolese over Yeah, and we work closely obviously with with NGA as well as the Space Force to make sure data is available, but I would also add that we also work with NSA because we also are collecting RF data as well. So, commercial plays a vital role and you know, we believe we're you know, we're we're supporting all the organizations that need it.
▶ 0:44:41Uh, General Perty, in your opening remarks, you state the Space Force's decision to repurpose acquisition lieutenant billets to support off the officer training course and operational tours combined with looming reductions in the civilian workforce. We've already seen 14%. and advisory and assistance contractor reductions, they all increase the risk to program execution. Can you provide any examples of where you are taking risk due to reduced personnel?
▶ 0:45:12So, I don't have specific like examples and effects for you, I guess I'd say. It's more the the risks that have been sort of materialized. So, a combination of factors. So, the OTC creation, obviously we've moved out lieutenants and we've put them into OTC. By the way, as acquisition side, we call that OPEX for everybody and and generally speaking, we support that operational experience. That has created a gap. Our plan was to fill that with civilian hires.
▶ 0:45:39That is obviously run into a a bit of a problem in addition to as we take PMs and FMs and PK reductions. And so, we haven't had a chance to fully absorb and understand the numbers yet. You gave a number in your opening talk. I haven't actually received all those yet from the different organizations. I know anecdotally was speaking with SDA, was speaking with AFWERX and was speaking with SSC. Um there's uh I would say trouble brewing. We're worried uh about the numbers.
▶ 0:46:10We're worried that we can execute our our program offices. Um the program offices always vary a little bit based on their intensity and size, so you can dial a little bit, but there is a limit to it. And so obviously bipartisan concern in the committee as well, sir. Thank you, Mr. Thank you. The chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson, for 5 minutes. Thank you, Dr. Chairman. Grateful for your leadership, and indeed this is bipartisan uh as we work with the constant Moulton and uh everyone here. Uh and we are so grateful again for each of you being here today.
▶ 0:46:41And uh it's particularly important because sadly the world is in a conflict we did not choose between dictators with rule of gun invading democracies with rule of law. It began on February 24, 2022 with war criminal Putin invading Ukraine, and then it proceeded with mass murder on October 7, 2023 when the Iranian puppets invaded Israel with uh with the catastrophic consequences there.
▶ 0:47:09War criminal Putin and the Chinese Communist Party continue to expand and modernize their space capabilities with war criminal war criminal Putin acknowledging that other countries' commercial infrastructure and outer space used for military purposes can and will become a legitimate target. The US must maintain an ability to be ahead of our adversaries in space to make sure that we have peace through strength.
▶ 0:47:34With that in mind, uh Secretary Yaffe, uh you have been correctly explaining the rapid rise of the adversary counterspace capabilities, especially for war criminal Putin and the Chinese Communist Party. As you mentioned in your statement, quote, "The department remains concerned that Russia is developing a new satellite meant to carry a nuclear weapon as an anti-satellite capability." End the With these remarks, it's inherently destabilizing.
▶ 0:48:05What is the DOD assessment of the CCP and war criminal Putin's ability to have intent of such capabilities? Thank you, sir. I'm sorry, when you said intent of such capabilities, you you raised the Russian one. Are you asking about the breadth of counterspace Yes, yes. Yes, sir. Um thank you for the question. I mean, our concern is that Russia and China are both pursuing a breadth of capabilities intended to hold our space assets at risk, given that they know the advantages that we derive from those assets.
▶ 0:48:35They want to deny our ability to access those services probably through both reversible and irreversible means. We know that we need to protect these assets, protect both our critical space-based assets, and the joint force against space-enabled threats from their space assets. And and what is the status of our ability to counteract that? I mean, sir, it depends certainly on the the threats that we're facing, but from our perspective, we need to be arrayed against the breadth of threats that we face from both of them.
▶ 0:49:05Certainly, we do continue to spend a lot of time being concerned about the the one Russian space system where they seemed intent on putting a nuclear weapon in space, but we also need to be prepared for ground-to-space threats, on-orbit threats, et cetera. Um I mean, what we've said and we continue to say is we need to have a breadth of assets in all domains to protect our space-based assets and to protect our personnel. These may include both reversible and non-reversible, kinetic, non-kinetic options.
▶ 0:49:34Um but it is important that we are able to give the Secretary of Defense and the President options if required and if we face these threats in action from our adversaries. Well, thank you so much for your insight. And uh Vice Admiral Whitworth, the capabilities of your agency or department to to vital is edge against our adversaries on ground and space domain. We are fortunate that our country is full of innovative companies in the private sector who are willing to work with the government to provide the capabilities for national security.
▶ 0:50:05How do you coordinate your efforts to acquire commercial space capabilities or license commercial data from other organizations within DOD and the intelligence community? Thank you, sir, for the question. And this goes to our emphasis on commercially available, especially for us per policy analytics. Where we certainly look for the best analytics we can get for GEOINT. And we have many things available to us.
▶ 0:50:34Commercial solutions offerings, they're very speedy. Bailment agreements are a way that we can see try it on for size, see if it works for both sides. IDIQ's, of course, is the tradition. We're always looking for the best and brightest. And this is evidenced by Luno A&B, which is upwards that's an RFP of upwards of 500 million. And we've got now task orders for that in the maritime Well, that's really encouraging.
▶ 0:50:59And and again, with the commercial capabilities, what is are they ahead of government capabilities? So, what how do you assess their capability? I think the importance here is we're insatiable in coverage. And so, I don't I don't think I'm in a position to say one's better than the other, but coverage is the name of the game here. And so, we're a bit insatiable. I've said it in the past, we kind of want it Thank you very much. And I yield back. Thank you.
▶ 0:51:29Thank the gentleman. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from California, Mr. Whitesides for 5 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me start by recognizing my friend Dr. Chris Scolese. We've known each other for over 15 years, and his service to the country across a wide range of government agencies is exemplary.
▶ 0:51:45And you know, thank you for your service, So, uh to jump into it, uh General Purdy, I just wanted to add my I guess voice to concerns that we provide a promising career advancement pathway for our space acquisitions workforce. I know you are deep in the midst of that, but I think what you're hearing from all of us on the Armed Services Committee is that that is uh clearly something that we're concerned about and uh just wanted to add add my voice to that.
▶ 0:52:14Um uh to Admiral Whitworth and and Dr. Sclese, in terms of the commercial remote sensing budgets, it uh we have heard reports that the FY26 budget request will include cuts to NRO and Space Force commercial remote sensing funding. This is concerning, obviously, partly because there's so much going on in space and there's such a great demand for this data. It also seems to go against uh stated administration priorities.
▶ 0:52:44And um we also want to make sure that we're maintaining a sort of a wide base of of suppliers. Can either of you sort of speak to the reality of that? We see things in the news. Is it real? And how are you working to free up legacy requirements and budget to kind of keep pushing the ball forward on these things to enable traditional systems to focus more heavily on the things that only the US government can do. You uh you said it right.
▶ 0:53:11We want to focus the the government effort on only those things that we can do. So, we very much value the uh the commercial capabilities and intend to keep on using those. Um it's largely based on demand, of course. Um but uh commercial is is absolutely critical to what we're doing.
▶ 0:53:31And I would add, it's not just the the commercial imagery, it's also commercial RF and and also newer phenomenologies as we're we're working with uh with that industry to to go off and help advance those. But even further, it's helped enable our proliferated architecture.
▶ 0:53:51As General Purdy mentioned earlier, we're finding that commercial buses are not only available, but they're also capable of doing a lot of what our missions require. And they are available at a much lower cost than going off and developing a brand new bus. And you will see those in our proliferated architecture that we're deploying today. And you will also see as we're going forward and we're advancing the same thing in our signal Thank you.
▶ 0:54:20Admiral Whitworth, would you like to add anything to that? At this time, I don't think so because it's not our purview to actually enter a contract on pixels for a commercial. So, I would defer to Chris on that one. Okay, sounds good. Major General Purdy, with all the sort of uncertainty coming out of SDA over the last several months, can you give us a status update on their efforts to provide missile warning missile tracking capabilities as part of the broader Space Force missile warning missile track architecture?
▶ 0:54:49Sure, SDA has continued to forge ahead with their tranche one activity. They continue to finalize testing on their tranche zero, which was a test activity. So, that's continued to work through their testing of the calm and their missile warning test. On the tranche one, that's coming in They should start their launches this summer. Toward the tail end of this summer and they'll launch about one mission or a set of missions a month. So, about one a month.
▶ 0:55:17Missile warning kicks in I think a little bit later this fall. And so, they'll finish that out through the beginning of next year. Once those are in orbit, the plan is actually pretty nice. So, they're the Leo missile warning architecture. There's another office doing the Mio architecture. And then there are other office existing and future that are doing architecture at N GEO. All that data is flowing into the same systems. There are multiple pathways for all the OPRR systems.
▶ 0:55:46And the LEO data from SDA is flowing into those same exact Okay. Thank you for that. Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Thank the gentleman. The chair now recognize the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Lamborn for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate our witnesses being here.
▶ 0:56:04Thank you all for your service to our If you've heard me speak for any length of time at this subcommittee before, you know I'm already excited about the potential for Golden Dome to protect the homeland and deter our adversaries. And while I'm sure we're going to spend several years here on this committee debating which fancy and expensive systems to buy, Congress and DOD need to ensure that we're doing it in a smart way.
▶ 0:56:31Just like how you need to buy a propane tank to go with your gas grill, we need to ensure we aren't just funding systems, but also the support infrastructure needed for success. General Purdy, I want to focus on two exciting programs essential to homeland Orbital warfare spacecraft and space-based interceptors.
▶ 0:56:53Can you tell me how in addition to procuring these critical weapon systems, the Space Force is also thinking about all the other things that are needed to successfully field and and employ these items. I'm thinking of the personnel, the training, the testing cap- capabilities, and especially the command and control and control architectures. The satellite control network is rapidly aging and already near max capacity for day-to-day operations.
▶ 0:57:24And the new phased array systems are still in How's the deployment of these new phased array systems going? And how are you continuing to add requirements for additional capacity in the satellite control network as the systems that will use it continue to proliferate? General Sir, thank you for the question. Um that is a particular strong focus of basically what we'd call end-to-end capability.
▶ 0:57:53Um too long in the past, we would deliver one um say a satellite or whatnot, and we would not be uh considering this whole the whole rest of the architecture. Um so, we've kind of established a policy of fully fully mission capable uh full end-to-end. So, there's multiple ways that we're that we're getting after that activity. So, for one, we actually have a PEO stood up to get after test and training architecture. So, I'll set that one aside. I have a whole integration uh team that reports to me as the SAE.
▶ 0:58:21Their job uh is to get after the end-to-end integration pieces. Um and and specifically to be tracking all the programs and making sure that we have the capacity that we're building in for test and training architecture, SCN architecture, etc. So, I've got that process going. Specifically on SCN cuz you mentioned that one uh a few times, we have our existing uh SCN architecture, as you mentioned. Uh the next generation is the SCAR ESA radar system that we're developing that allows us to hit multiple contacts at the same time.
▶ 0:58:51That's going uh reasonably well. It is a complicated build, and so it's it's frankly too slow for my taste and too slow for the need. Uh but it's it's going reasonably well. And so, they are aiming for the next first system. There's a demo this year, and then there's a I think it's the next year year year plus is when that first one's coming out. As a backup plan, what we've got going on is what's called JAM, uh the the Joint Antenna Marketplace. This one's uh pretty exciting cuz this is going to do two things for us. It's going after full up commercial.
▶ 0:59:21There's a lot of commercial capacity out there to do SCN activity. We've practiced that with SDA. We've practiced that with Sparco. Both of them have used commercial cloud-based SCN and actually even even worldwide as well. And so Jam is going to get after that's going to open up hundreds of additional capacity and ability to go get hundreds additional targets. In addition, that's going to do what's called orchestration to help us figure out machine-to-machine which systems we're going to go.
▶ 0:59:50Are we going to use existing SCN? Are we going to use SCAR? Are we going to use in this Jam? So all of those elements are are pieces of the architecture that we're putting together slowly and I'm and I'm tying it together and tracking it at my level with our integration function. Think of it as like a space systems chief engineer.
▶ 1:00:10Uh you talked about and I I'm don't have enough time here, but I'm going to throw this out there and maybe we if we get a second round we'll come back to it, but the you talked about the unified data uh of course a cloud-based data repository designed to consolidate commercial and US government space situational awareness data. Uh it's intended to be the single source for accessing and managing all data in support of Space Force operational systems.
▶ 1:00:36To what extent is Space Force using it and which Space Force operational systems are connected to it? Yeah, uh many if not all. So multiple Deltas at Space Operations Center are using it for their positional tracking in addition to say interference kind of activity. The NSDC, which is the ops floor doing the Space War, is tracking it with their C2 system. US Space Com at the Combatant Commander uses it for their common their official common operating picture.
▶ 1:01:03JCO is the main ops hub that's that's plugging in all the Combatant Commanders is also using it and tracking it and we actually track that worldwide in worldwide ops centers. Great. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank Yes, thank you. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Bell for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ranking member Um Dr.
▶ 1:01:27Scolese, I want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues and thank you for your service um as well as Admiral Whitworth, General Purdy. Um also Ms. Yaffee, your depth of knowledge in space policy and strategy is um impressive and appreciated and very much needed at this I am proud to represent St. Louis, home to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency's West Campus or NGA St.
▶ 1:01:58Louis, a cornerstone of our nation's defense and a testament to St. Louis's growing sector and leadership in geospatial St. Louis is rapidly solidifying its position as America's center for geospatial intelligence and hub of With the soon-to-be-open, brand-new, state-of-the-art NGA West or NGA St.
▶ 1:02:22Louis facility, my district is not only supporting the mission of NGA, but it is becoming indispensable to it. Uh this investment reinforces the agency's capabilities and anchor St. Louis as a crucial component for our country's national NGA's presence in St.
▶ 1:02:42Louis isn't just a point of pride, it's a clear recognition of our region's critical contributions to intelligence, innovation, and homeland defense and security. St. Louis is not just participating in our national security efforts, we're helping lead them. With that, Admiral Whitworth um and Ms. Yaffee, I'd like you to chime in as well, if you don't mind.
▶ 1:03:07Um can you provide an update on the progress and status of the new facility and your vision for the local academic and community partnerships that might be fostered and developed through this new Thank you, Mr. Bell. It's good to see you again. So, you got to see the real NGA when you participated in our 8:45 Ops Intel update. That wasn't a stunt. That was the real NGA. And so, uh this is a very, very important question.
▶ 1:03:34We're very pleased to report that we are on glide slope for an opening on the 26th of September. We are in the fine-tuning right now of that facility uh on the northern portion of St. Louis. Uh that involves mainly just IT and uh we know where everyone's going to sit. We have been giving tours to our workforce. They're getting excited. Uh it is uh it is ready to go. On your question vis-a-vis the ecosystem, also extremely important. That is vibrant right now.
▶ 1:04:04One of the best examples of uh the combination of business, academia, uh civil government, federal government, intelligence, all banding together to ensure that this is a success. I think it will be a pole star for other communities as far as the relationship especially between local business, local government, federal government, and academia with something like the Taylor Geospatial Institute, which is at full tilt.
▶ 1:04:34Thank you. I'm not sure if I can add much to the NGA facility, but I mean, I would just say that we have to continue to foster the space expertise and ecosystem within the government and with the industrial base because the sector is only growing and we're going to need to leverage all the talent out there. Thank you. Thank you. Um a few weeks ago, General Guiao testified before this committee that NGA is an extremely important partner in Northcom and NORAD day-to-day operations and that every advanced mission we do includes NGA capabilities.
▶ 1:05:03As the nation develops the golden dome for America and as adversaries continue to modernize and enhance their capabilities, what is NGA's role in this mission of defending the homeland against missile threats, and how do you see geospatial intelligence contributing to Golden Dome efforts? Thank you very much for this question. It It is a multi-dimensional answer. I'll give it very quickly.
▶ 1:05:30I would offer that our advancements in target development, the target development section of AI-enabled mission command, uh some of the things that we've been able to foster through NGA Maven {slash} Maven Smart System, I think may be applicable here.
▶ 1:05:46And then, of course, we have expertise uh and a really important bridging between Title 10 and Title 50 on on some of the sensors that detect And then, quickly in your statement for the record, you mentioned that NGA uh leads a community-wide process to coordinate commercial geospatial intelligence purchases across the government, maximizing the ability to share commercial imagery and analytics, and preventing redundant acquisitions.
▶ 1:06:14Um Admiral, how does NGA work with consumers of commercial imagery and analytics, including the combatant commands as well as NRO and Space Force? Yes, sir. And 3 seconds. Yeah, I if you would just submit that for the record. We're going to be running up against votes, so we got one more uh uh round of questions, and we're going to move to the classified setting so we can get you out of here before we go vote. So, uh Chair, now recognize Mr. Hamada from Arizona for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 1:06:42Space is the next frontier of warfare, and it's easy to overlook because we can't see it. But, back home in Arizona in Flagstaff, there's a small naval observatory that plays a huge role. Now, that little station helps tells us exactly where we are in the galaxy. It aids in setting the official time for the entire Department of Defense and the country. GPS, internet, communications, every part of our daily life depends on commercial and military space assets. Our enemies know this and that's why China and Russia say that our satellites are fair game.
▶ 1:07:12They are preparing to knock us back decades without ever hitting American soil or our service members. Now, that's why this this mission of our Space Force is so crucial. We have no choice but to build America's technical edge, resilience, deterrence, and counterstrike abilities in the space Now, my first question is for Ms. Yaffee. I'm going to piggyback off what Congress Congressman Wilson was talking about with um the Russia's latest space race and what we talked about last time in the bigger committee last week.
▶ 1:07:41What equivalent wildcard option do we have that keeps the Russians and Chinese up at night in terms of offensive capabilities? I know we focus a lot on Thank you, sir, for the question. Um I mean, certainly we are we are not looking for an equivalent capability to what Russia might be pursuing and be a violation of the outer space treaty and would be devastating to lower earth orbit and to our interests.
▶ 1:08:03Um with that said, we are trying to be absolutely clear to Russia and China and anyone else that wishes to do us harm that we have an imperative to protect our freedom of access to space and our freedom to operate in space. And we are going to need a breadth of capabilities to do that. You know, we are trying to normalize space as an operational domain, which normally means that we largely focus on doing things more normally within the department, having war games that consider space, ensure military plans do, etc. Um but there are some differences with the space domain.
▶ 1:08:32So, we may not talk about our capabilities in the same way. We think there are other ways to message to our adversaries what we intend to achieve, but we want to be absolutely critical. We are going to protect and defend our critical space-based assets and our joint force from space-enabled threats with a breadth of capabilities uh that and to ensure the President Secretary of Defense have options. Very good. I know you mentioned earlier in your testimony about burden sharing with our allies as well. Um how do our allies see this um space race? Do they see the same threat as we do? Thank you, sir.
▶ 1:09:01We think that cooperation with allies and partners remains essential and certainly space offers advantages for burden sharing. We have a few ways to go about it. Part of it is ensuring that we do see the threat in the same way. We've been pursuing for a number of years something that's called the combined space operations initiative or CSpO. It's grown recently from seven to 10 countries of our most capable spacefaring partners. Part of that is ensuring that we see the threats in the same way. Part of it is thinking about how we approach the domain to operate most effectively and to our advantage.
▶ 1:09:31We explore different operational concepts. We explore appropriate behaviors because unlike in every other domain, we don't have norms of behavior. Um we also engage bilaterally with some of our most capable spacefaring partners because we do believe there are different ways that they can pick up the burden to ensure that we can all approach the domain and protect our freedom to access and operate in the domain. Are we looking at expanding it beyond the 10 partners already? It's certainly under consideration. It's not calendar-based. It's conditions-based.
▶ 1:09:58We We want to expand when there are partners that can bring something to the table and that's what we did most recently with Japan, Italy, and Norway. If we assess that there are other partners that can similarly contribute to both the threat picture and operational concepts and capabilities and and norms, I think that there would be consideration among those 10 partners to expand. Very good. Thank you, Ms. Yaffee. Thank you. My next question is to a General Purdy. Uh seems like there's been a lot of progress with the acquisition reform, especially with the 6-month NRO uh contract they were mentioning earlier.
▶ 1:10:28Um I know acquisition reform is going to be a huge focus of this year's defense bill, and we can't keep pace with China if we don't have the space industrial base. But if you had the power to make a single change to our space acquisitions, what would that be? Um so, there are a host of uh in the PBE Commission uh and other commissions that have listed out a whole host of activities.
▶ 1:10:53If I had to pick one, I think flexibility of funds, particularly in CR environments, um we really find ourselves up in a barrel when we can't actually get our funds, you know, till later in the year. Uh and so, ability to do BTR ATL thresholds at a higher level, ability to do quick starts, ability to get moving in that progress while we're waiting for the big bill, I think is probably one of the most number one things I would poke Yeah, flexibility seems to be a unifying With yes. Thank you. I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:11:23Thank you. That concludes the open portion of the hearing. We'll now move to the closed setting.