Air Force Secretary Seeks Congressional Authority to Begin Work on Select Programs

Frank Kendall, secretary of the Department of the Air Force, submitted a proposal to Congress earlier in April that would allow certain space-based programs to start before the 2024 budget is finalized. These programs include satellites for detecting and tracking missiles and hypersonic vehicles.

Kendall, a 2023 Wash100 winner and confirmed speaker at the upcoming 2023 Air Force Summit, said the proposal is meant to bypass appropriations delays caused by political gridlock. If Congress approves, the Air Force would be granted limited authority to commence preliminary design and systems engineering work on select programs.

He told audiences at the Space Symposium on Wednesday that budget delays have prevented the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force from developing capabilities to keep pace with China, SpaceNews reported.

Kendall made similar comments in 2022, citing increased aggression by China and Russia as a reason to accelerate the modernization of Air Force and Space Force capabilities. According to Kendall, the space domain will likely play a major role in future conflicts.