Capabilities – SPA

Beyond the Chip: Why National Security Depends on the Entire Semiconductor Ecosystem

Karin Andersen — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:00:38 +0000

For most Americans, semiconductors remain invisible—embedded in smartphones, appliances, cars, and computers without a second thought. But for those in national security and defense policy, the global semiconductor industry is now front and center, tied to questions of military readiness, economic resilience, and geopolitical competition.

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Space Warfare: How the U.S. Can Stay Ahead in the Orbital Arms Race

Karin Andersen — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:00:18 +0000

The space domain has transformed in scale, scope, and strategic consequence. What once was a benign operational backdrop is now a contested warfighting domain. China and Russia continue to develop and demonstrate counterspace weapons—from direct-ascent ASATs and co-orbital platforms to jammers and directed energy systems—explicitly designed to undermine U.S. freedom of action in space.

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Operating in a Contested Orbit: Why Culture and Doctrine Are Key Elements of Space Superiority

Karin Andersen — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:00:20 +0000

In 2008, the number of tracked objects in orbit was just over 9,500. Today, that number exceeds 47,000—and rising. Satellites, debris, and maneuverable platforms crowd every regime from LEO to GEO. “The space domain is now much more congested, populated by systems of various sizes, different orbital regimes, and operated by adversaries as well as ourselves,” explains Dave Meteyer, Group Leader in the Space and Intelligence Division at Systems Planning & Analysis.

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From Viable to Defendable: Designing Programs That Deliver

Karin Andersen — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:00:38 +0000

In defense acquisition, selecting the best technical solution is not enough. Success depends on how well that choice holds up under scrutiny—from oversight bodies, Congress, and operational users alike—while ensuring the program performs as intended. That’s where the traditional approach to Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) falls short.

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Leadership Fundamentals Series: The Importance of Building Quality into Your Organization

Karin Andersen — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:00:15 +0000

Whether in national defense, advanced technology, or complex systems engineering, embedding quality into the DNA of your organization from the outset leads to safer outcomes, clearer communication, stronger compliance, and more resilient operations.

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Rethinking Cybersecurity: A Strategic Shift for the DoD

Karin Andersen — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:00:17 +0000

As cyber threats escalate and evolve, the Department of Defense (DoD) faces the imperative of rethinking how cybersecurity is integrated into military operations. Cybersecurity must transition from being perceived as a peripheral concern—often relegated to technical support roles—to being treated as a fundamental component of strategic military operations.

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