White House to nominate Frank Calvelli as Space Force acquisition chief

The White House today announced its intent to nominate Booz Allen Hamilton executive Frank Calvelli to serve as assistant Air Force secretary for space acquisition -- a key post for the Space Force as it seeks to reform the way it develops and buys space capabilities.

Calvelli, a senior vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton, previously served for eight years as the principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office. According to a White House press release, Calvelli oversaw a significant space portfolio that included “satellite and ground system acquisition, systems engineering and satellite mission operations.”

The designation of a senior procurement executive for space acquisition programs is a significant step for the service, which was required to create the position as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.