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SDA Projects Contractor Personnel Increase Needed for Golden Dome, Custody Layer Support

Frank Wolfe

Friday, October 3rd, 2025

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SDA Projects Contractor Personnel Increase Needed for Golden Dome, Custody Layer Support

Pictured is the April 12th launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket of the NROL-192 mission carrying Starshield satellites from Vandenberg Space Force, Calif. (National Reconnaissance Office Photo)

The U.S. Space Force's Space Development Agency (SDA) had planned to solicit up to 900 Tranche 3 Custody Layer time-critical targeting satellites by the end of fiscal 2025, but that date has come and gone, and SDA Acting Director Gurpartap "GP" Sandhoo has said that that layer awaits funding. Yet, SDA requirements are growing, given the Trump administration's planned Golden Dome missile defense shield. For example, SDA believes it will need 300 workers from QinetiQ's Avantus Federal, versus 261 previously…

Unmanned Systems

In Response To Flag Concerns, DoD Looks To Reduce Drone Prices, As Order for 30,000 Looms

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Pentagon

Amid Questions On Weapons Stockpiles, Caine Says U.S. Has ‘Sufficient’ Munitions For Iran Operation

Pentagon leaders on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over the rate at which the U.S. is employing critical munitions in its military strike campaign against Iran, with lawmakers also pressing […]

Congress

SASC Leaders Criticize Trump’s Defense Strategy, Press Colby On Policy Shifts

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) leadership on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration’s new National Defense Strategy (NDS) and pressed the Pentagon’s top policy official to explain the document’s priorities. SASC […]

Congress

Wicker Wants Legislation On DoD’s Equity Investments In Minerals Supply Chain

Legislation regarding equity investments by the Defense Department in critical mineral supply chains is needed to strengthen the larger defense industrial base and demonstrate to the “free market” that the […]