The satellites carry a handful of different payloads, including the two US Space Force Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization jam-resistant communication payloads, an X-band communications payload for Norway's Ministry of Defence, and a Ka-band payload for commercial firm Viasat.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall explained that the "small decrease in the number for the Space Force" isn't itself quite reflective of reality, as there are mitigating circumstances that lessen the blow.
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
"The threat is racing to out pace us," Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters in a budget pre-briefing on March 10.
The FY23 request is $7 billion more than the $17.4 billion the service asked for in FY22, with much of it going towards R&D efforts.
The HASC policy bill covers everything from commercial space situational awareness to on-orbit servicing to responsive launch.
"Things never go as planned," cautions Rick Ambrose, Lockheed Martin's executive VP for space.
"Upfront investments are necessary to break the vicious cycle in which current DOD high-value assets are stuck" to increase space resiliency, the Aerospace Corp. study argues.