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Space

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…

Congress

SASC Cites Concern With Army’s sUAS Approach, Seeks Info On Plans To Scale Fielding

Senate defense authorizers are seeking more info from the Army on its plans for scaling and deploying small drone capabilities citing concern with the service’s current “fragmented and insufficient” approach. […]

SASC Bill Would Raise Amphib Requirement To 33 Ships

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) fiscal year 2027 defense policy bill adds new provisions that would raise the Navy and Marine Corps’ minimum requirement for amphibious warships and extend […]

Army

Army Plans To Initiate ISV-Heavy Competition Later This Year, Official Says

The Army is planning to initiate its competition to build the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)-Heavy in the fourth quarter of this year, a senior acquisition official has said. Jesse Tolleson, […]

Senate Authorization Bill Restricts Building Navy Warships Overseas With Limited Exception For Auxiliaries

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the FY 2027 defense policy bill looks to cut the ability for the Trump administration to buy foreign-made warships, but still allow […]