The Space and Missiles Systems Center and SpaceX amended the cooperative research and development agreement to include “all of the independent review committee’s recommendations,” according to an Air Force release. “I am very pleased with all we have accomplished. The updated CRADA captures important lessons learned along the way about the process and allows the flexibility to certify Space X when ready, while maintaining our ‘laser focus on mission success,’” said SMC Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves. The Air Force expects to certify SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch system for national security space launches “no later than June 2015,” states the release. “SpaceX welcomes these actions,” said Gwynne Shotwell, company president and chief operating officer. “We look forward to completing the certification process and competing for EELV missions.”
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
