WASHINGTON — The Senate Armed Services Committee on June 11 voted 18-9 to advance its version of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, including a provision that would eliminate separate statutory requirements for the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office.
The measure aligns with language approved earlier by the House Armed Services Committee supporting an ongoing effort by the Department of the Air Force to reorganize acquisitions around Portfolio Acquisition Executives, or PAEs, who oversee mission-focused portfolios.
According to a committee summary, the provision is intended to give the Department of the Air Force greater flexibility to restructure the Space Force acquisition organization, streamline operations and accelerate implementation of broader acquisition reforms. The proposal would allow the service to integrate SDA and Space RCO into the new acquisition framework rather than maintain them as distinct statutory organizations.
The bill also includes a missile-defense provision that would restrict certain Pentagon funding until lawmakers receive an independent assessment of space-based missile defense capabilities.
Separately, the legislation advances broader industrial-base reforms, including a requirement that defense contractors submit plans outlining investments to expand production capacity. Companies that fail to make sufficient investments could face restrictions on shareholder distributions.
The SASC version of the NDAA authorizes $1.15 trillion in defense spending for fiscal year 2027. The legislation now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.
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