In race with China, Pentagon must prioritize speed in acquisition

The Pentagon has emphasized that when it comes to fielding new systems, especially in the new space race for orbital dominance, speed is key. But in the op-ed below, former senior Pentagon space official Charles Beames says it’s time to put speed at the very top of the list — even, he says, above cost. (Disclaimer: Beames is executive chairman of satellite firm York Space Systems and co-founder of the SmallSat Alliance, whose members, including York, compete for Defense Department contracts.)

“My highest personal goal has been to instill a sense of urgency about our efforts,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall says when introducing his Operational Imperatives. He emphasizes the need to “improve our operational posture relative to our pacing challenge: China, China, China.”

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