Sen. Cramer Discusses Radar Modernization, Space Development Agency Autonomy at SASC Strategic Forces Hearing

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), founder and co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus, discussed the need to modernize the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) Radar Warning System at Cavalier Space Force Station and the importance of the Space Development Agency's (SDA) autonomy at a Senate Armed Services Committee Strategic Forces Subcommittee Hearing on Space Force Programs.

Senator Cramer urged the Space Force to prioritize PARCS modernization noting it was not included in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. General David Thompson, U.S. Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations, acknowledged Cavalier plays a crucial role in protecting the United States and ensured that its defense capability would remain intact.

"I want to talk a little bit about one of my favorite topics under your direct command. That's, of course, the PARCS radar facility at Cavalier. I noticed that modernization is not funded in the budget. I brought it up because I'm concerned because this year's budget documents say this radar has a "high risk that equipment failures will cause unacceptable mission downtime.' I don't want that to happen and I don't think you want that to happen. This is a 50 year old radar that's doing important work. I know there's an analog to digital modernization effort that the program office is looking at and General Raymond told us the Space Force would address the PARCS issue in the coming budget years," said Senator Cramer. "I just want to make sure you're aware of the precarious situation that Cavalier seems to be in and do you agree that this important 50-year technology needs a complete overhaul if not this year, then soon?"

"It does fill a critical role in our missile warning enterprise today and we need to sustain it for that role into the future. Part of what we're looking at in that regard as well is as we look at advancing threats, as we look at hyperglide vehicles, as we look at fractional orbital bombardment systems and the ability to basically fly around the South Pole to be able to attack the United States, we're in the process of understanding what the future missile warning and missile tracking architecture needs to look like and the role that PARCS may play in that. We're still doing that assessment," responded General Thompson. "But certainly in the near term [it] must be sustained. The other thing I'll say is it plays a vital role in space surveillance today, as well. We need to ensure that that capability remains."

Senator Cramer also discussed the need to preserve SDA's autonomy and flexibility to sustain their ability to move fast and innovate as they are integrated into the U.S. Space Force.

"I want to spend a little time now on [the Space Development Agency] because I know that we're at that moment here in a few months when it gets rolled in. When we set up Space Force one of the goals was streamlining acquisition, speeding up Research and Development, all of those important things that you're talking about. But SDA, when we stood that up in 2021, it's really worth noting the importance of preserving an independent culture, which I think is best for innovation. Help me understand your commitment that SDA will preserve at least some of its independence and autonomy, while it also does important work for you and the joint force," said Senator Cramer.

"I'm excited about SDA coming on board," said Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration Frank Cavelli. "I think they're doing some really neat stuff with proliferated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) system and Tranche-1 for the communication satellites. I think it's going to add new capabilities quickly because they're doing new things. To your centers, I think it's going to add resiliency to the architecture. I like their culture. I'm looking forward to them coming on board and I don't see any major changes in terms of how they do business or their culture."

"Continuing along that topic then for a moment and a culture of innovation and rapid acquisition, Middle-Tier Acquisition (MTA) pathway was designed to facilitate rapid prototyping and fielding of new threat-driven capabilities in timeframes not met by the traditional requirements process. Do you support granting SDA Middle-Tier Acquisition authority so that they can continue to move fast?" asked Senator Cramer.

"From what I've seen, I think on the Space Force side there's about eight or nine programs that are using 804 authorities. It's allowed them to go a little bit quicker,"responded Assistant Secretary Cavelli. "We talked earlier about the fact that speed is really what this nation needs and so yes, I would support them having 804 authorities."

Senator Cramer then asked Dr. John Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, about cybersecurity in space and the need to leverage and integrate commercial cybersecurity capabilities to help protect our space systems.

"I think that the cyber piece is really important and I don't think we fully have our hands around it. Defense in depth for satellite architecture is hard, for ground stations is hard. I'm in a lot of meetings about this where we have to break through this idea that there's just a defensive perimeter and people know this now, but getting to this is a journey," said Assistant Secretary Plumb.

"Be open with us to how we can help, whether it's a policy issue or an oversight issue because we need that culture cultivated," concluded Senator Cramer.

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