Defense procurement

DARPA aims to ‘disrupt’ national security space business

The military space business is stuck in its old ways and missing a “golden opportunity” to capture the energy of a rejuvenated commercial industry, said a former White House space and aviation technology adviser who is now a top official at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

“In the national security space sector, we’re in dire need of new thinking and innovation,” said Fred Kennedy, director of DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. He assumed that post in September after serving as deputy director since January.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation Nov. 15, Kennedy criticized the Pentagon’s methods for acquiring satellites and called for a “shakeup” in national security space programs.

In the Defense Department, Kennedy said, “We’ve gotten very good at building small numbers of extremely exquisite things, very expensive things on very long time schedules.” That culture that emphasizes high performance and low risk is now working against the military because its satellites have become huge targets for adversaries.