Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), founder and co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus, discussed space innovation and the modernization of the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) Radar Warning System at Cavalier Space Force Station at the Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing to consider the nomination of U.S. Space Force Lieutenant General Bradley C. Saltzman to be General and Chief of Space Operations (CSO).
On space innovation, Senator Cramer highlighted the success of the Space Development Agency (SDA) due to its autonomy and independence which has allowed for innovation. He also talked about the benefits of merging SDA with the Space Force and the role of cyber.
“You’re in the innovation business if anybody is in the innovation business,” said Senator Cramer. “We’re coming up on October 1st, at which time as a matter of legislative policy, Space Development Agency will move over to Space Force. One of the benefits, I think, of Space Development Agency has been their autonomy. Their independence [has] allowed innovation to really grow. At the same time, I think they and Space Force and all of us will benefit from the discipline, the oversight, and the collective [opportunities and strategies], if you will, of Space Force. And at the same time, there’s been some talk already of cyber. Once again, the coming together of commercial and government becomes all the more critical. Could you elaborate on those specific things—[the role of] small [commercial space companies], SDA and its autonomy blossoming under your jurisdiction, and the role of cyber?”
“You hit on the key principle there, and that’s innovation is going to be critical to the success of the Space Force,” agreed Lieutenant General Saltzman.
On the small business piece of Senator Cramer’s question, Lieutenant General Saltzman emphasized the need to “pull in as many ideas as possible regardless of the size of the vendor” across the broad space ecosystem to be successful. He then pivoted to the integration of the Space Development Agency into the Space Force.
“With regards to the Space Development Agency, I couldn’t agree more. Their innovative business model, if you will, has been very successful in the early efforts associated with missile warning, missile tracking, space data transport layer, etc. When they come over to the Space Force October 1st, we’ve already been working with them. We’ve been planning for months to make that transition seamless, to make it smooth. And we want to make sure that we don’t violate that secret sauce which is the innovation engine of the Space Development Agency. So if confirmed as CSO, I’ll be committed to making sure that we don’t lose the goodness as we bring them over. Now we need to integrate them and make sure they’re a part of the force design that’s what is going to make it an effective force when it’s finally fielded. But I do not want to lose that innovation engine,” said Lieutenant General Saltzman.
During his remarks, Senator Cramer pushed for PARCS modernization.
“In the last minute, let’s talk a little bit about my favorite space topic: PARCS radar. As you know the Cavalier Space Force station has that beautiful, old, gigantic piece of concrete that watches space and missile warning, of course, as it has for several decades. Modernization is important. Some has taken place there already and appreciate that we were able to put $5 million into the Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA here in the Senate. Hopefully, that survives. In the closing seconds, [can you share] your vision for that radar?” asked Senator Cramer.
“The missile warning mission is a no-fail mission for us. Missile tracking is going to be just as important with hypersonics. What those radars provide is not just missile warning, but space domain awareness. I certainly will not be able to do my job if confirmed as CSO if I have no idea what’s going on in space. So the more data that we can collect from the sensors on the planet, the better we’re going to have for space domain awareness, and I think the better we’re going to be able to do our mission,” responded Lieutenant General Saltzman.
Senator Cramer ended by announcing his support for Lieutenant General Saltzman’s nomination.
“Thank you, General. Good luck and I look forward to supporting you,” concluded Senator Cramer.
Background:
Senator Cramer met with Lieutenant General Saltzman last week where they had a conversation on innovation, radar modernization at the Cavalier Space Force Station. In the meeting, Lieutenant General Saltzman discussed his vision regarding future opportunities for the Space Force.