WASHINGTON — The Defense Department on April 2 unveiled its first-ever strategy to integrate commercial space technologies into its national security architecture. The move signals the Pentagon’s intent to take advantage of private space sector investments rather than rely solely on custom-built government systems.
The Pentagon’s strategy, however, also recognizes there are structural, procedural and cultural impediments the DoD must clear to shift from its traditional model of developing proprietary space systems meant only for military use.
DoD historically has favored bespoke, custom-designed government systems over commercial off-the-shelf technologies, creating barriers to the adoption of commercial space products and services, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted in introducing the strategy.
“Integrating commercial solutions, as opposed to merely augmenting existing government systems, will require a shift in approach within the department,” Austin wrote in the foreword to the report. “Leaders at all levels need to be aware of and work to eliminate the structural procedural and cultural barriers to overcoming legacy practices and preconceived notions of how the commercial sector can support national security.”
The strategy was developed and written by the office of John Plumb, the outgoing assistant secretary of defense for space policy.
“We need to integrate commercial tools not just in peacetime but also in conflict,” Plumb said April 2 at a Pentagon news conference.
“Space is essential to the joint force,” he said. “The department has a responsibility to leverage all tools available. And those tools include commercial solutions.”
With regard to the cultural barriers mentioned by Austin, Plumb said DoD has to “hold itself accountable” for making the necessary changes in internal processes to make sure commercial solutions get a fair chance to be part of national security programs.
The…
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