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Speed Trumps Price in National Security Contracting

April 1, 2023

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Speed is now a strategic requirement in national security space work.
Customers are requesting deliveries in half the time.
Companies must offer evidence to prove proposed timelines are realistic.

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Strategic Implications

The emphasis on speed may indicate a shift in national security priorities, where the ability to respond quickly to emerging threats could outweigh traditional considerations like cost and technical performance. This shift suggests a more agile and adaptive approach to space acquisitions, which could benefit companies that can deliver capabilities rapidly.

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What Happened

Government Prioritizes Speed Over Cost In Space Acquisitions

The US national security space community is undergoing a significant shift in priorities, with speed now eclipsing cost and technical performance as the primary consideration in contracting decisions. According to Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, the US Space Force chief of space operations, speed is now a strategic requirement, driven by the need to respond quickly to emerging threats. This shift is reflected in the growing emphasis on spiral development, where companies are encouraged to deliver minimum viable products quickly, with frequent upgrades to follow. The change is being driven by government officials, who are seeking to accelerate the pace of acquisition and fielding of new capabilities. This article was first reported by SpaceNews.

Source

Companies Mentioned