Congress Targets Space Force Acquisition Capabilities Amid Concerns Over Workforce Shortages

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions aimed at bolstering the Space Force’s acquisition workforce. The bill requires the Secretary of the Air Force to ensure that the number of trained Guardians in acquisition billets is comparable to that in operational billets. The move follows a year of pressure from lawmakers, who have emphasized the need for a stronger acquisition corps. The Space Force is struggling to move programs along due to personnel cuts and the government shutdown, and lawmakers are concerned about the service’s ability to acquire and implement new technologies.