Senate defense leaders push for govt-controlled satellite constellations, automated drone war tech
Senate Armed Services Committee member Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., highlighted a push to transition from private, commercial tech dependence toward sovereign, government-managed AI networks and automated manufacturing.
After a classified briefing with the Secretary of the Air Force regarding Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starshield and Starlink satellite systems, Cramer emphasized that while private sector innovation is crucial, operational control over low-Earth orbit (LEO) networks must sit firmly with the U.S. military.
“The operation of a low Earth satellite constellation for ISR for connectivity is really, really important that it be exclusively the authority of the United States government,” Cramer told reporters Thursday.
“What it demonstrates to me,” he added, “is that we cannot be so dependent on others, and fighting wars is one of those things.”
To address these vulnerabilities, Cramer highlighted the rapid deployment of the military’s dedicated Space Data Network (SDN), noting that hundreds of secure satellites are currently heading into orbit to establish independent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Cramer also spoke about automated manufacturing capabilities observed on the ground during a recent trip to Eastern Europe as a blueprint for Western defense.
“When I was in Ukraine last week, I saw a factory where they produce 5,000 weaponized drones
a day,” he said. “We need to figure out how we can do something like that, or partner with them … without Chinese components.”