On April 21, the administration of President Donald Trump nominated retired U.S. Air Force Col. Erich Hernandez-Baquero, an executive at Raytheon, to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration. If confirmed by the Senate, Hernandez-Baquero would assume a pivotal leadership role within the U.S. Space Force, overseeing its critical space acquisition enterprise.
Hernandez-Baquero currently holds the position of vice president of space intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) at Raytheon, a major defense contractor. The role he is nominated for is anticipated to become vacant in January 2025, following the scheduled conclusion of the incumbent, Frank Calvelli’s, tenure. This position is central to shaping the future capabilities of the Space Force.
Hernandez-Baquero’s professional background includes 27 years of service in the Air Force, where he held numerous space-related positions within the intelligence community. After retiring from military service, he joined Raytheon in 2021. His extensive experience includes a four-year term as the principal deputy director of the ground enterprise directorate at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Prior to this, from 2012 to 2017, he served within the NRO’s Geospatial Intelligence Division, first as payload division chief and subsequently as deputy director. These roles provided him with deep insights into the development and management of advanced space-based intelligence assets.
His intelligence community experience draws a notable parallel with his predecessor, Frank Calvelli, who also served as the principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office for eight years before taking on the Space Force acquisition executive role. This continuity in background suggests a strategic preference for leadership with substantial expertise in intelligence-driven space programs and complex satellite systems.
Frank Calvelli, whose tenure as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration spanned from 2022 to 2025, was widely recognized for his emphasis on “acquisition tenets.” These principles called upon acquisition personnel to act as “demanding customers,” to formulate realistic and executable contracts, and to actively avoid unnecessary overclassification of programs. During his time in office, Calvelli spearheaded a significant push towards developing smaller, more proliferated satellites and ground systems. His vision advocated for simplified designs that could be manufactured and deployed in larger quantities, moving away from the traditional model of large, monolithic systems.
In an October 2022 memo to his workforce, Calvelli articulated the urgency of this transformation, stating, “The traditional ways of doing space acquisition must be reformed in order to add speed to our acquisitions to meet our priorities.” He further emphasized, “Former approaches of developing a small amount of large satellites along with large, monolithic ground systems that took many years to develop on cost plus contracts can no longer be the norm.” This philosophy aimed to accelerate the delivery of crucial space capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical threats and technological advancements.
Calvelli’s dedicated focus on streamlining and reforming space acquisition established a foundational framework for a broader, service-wide initiative to procure more off-the-shelf systems. This strategic shift has also positioned the Space Force to align with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s ongoing acquisition transformation mandate. This mandate urges all military services to enhance the speed and quantity of capability delivery, and to re-evaluate their acquisition management strategies, shifting from individual program lines to more integrated capability portfolios.
If confirmed, Hernandez-Baquero will be tasked with overseeing a rapidly expanding portfolio of satellites and ground systems. This expansion is accompanied by a projected significant increase in budget allocations for both procurement and research and development (R&D). The Space Force’s fiscal year 2027 budget request proposes $19 billion in procurement funding, a substantial increase from $3.6 billion in fiscal year 2026. Similarly, R&D funding is requested at $40.6 billion, up from $30 billion in the current fiscal year. These figures underscore the escalating investment in space capabilities and the critical role the Assistant Secretary will play in managing these resources effectively.
A significant challenge awaiting Hernandez-Baquero is the inherited depletion of the Space Force’s civilian acquisition workforce. This decline resulted from the Trump administration’s Deferred Resignation Program, an initiative designed to reduce the size of the federal government by offering civilian staff extended paid leave while they pursued private sector employment. Space Systems Command (SSC), the Space Force’s largest acquisition organization, is actively engaged in a comprehensive effort to rebuild this vital workforce. As of April 14, SSC Commander Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant reported that his command has been directed to hire 100 new personnel per month to address close to 1,000 vacant positions, 200 of which are newly created roles.
Why This Matters
The nomination of Erich Hernandez-Baquero to lead space acquisition is a critical development for the U.S. Space Force and national security. In an era where space has become an increasingly contested domain, the ability to rapidly develop, acquire, and deploy advanced space capabilities is paramount. Hernandez-Baquero’s extensive background in space-related intelligence and his experience in the private sector with Raytheon position him to continue the strategic reforms initiated by his predecessor, Frank Calvelli, and to accelerate the delivery of crucial systems.
His potential leadership comes at a pivotal moment, marked by a burgeoning budget and an escalating demand for resilient and technologically superior space assets. The proposed substantial increases in procurement and R&D funding signal a clear national commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in space. The Assistant Secretary’s role is to ensure these funds are allocated efficiently and effectively, translating investment into tangible capabilities that deter adversaries and protect U.S. interests. This includes overseeing the development of everything from advanced reconnaissance satellites to secure communication networks, which are indispensable for both military operations and civilian infrastructure.
Moreover, the challenge of rebuilding a depleted acquisition workforce is a significant hurdle. A robust and skilled workforce is essential for managing complex defense programs, negotiating contracts, and ensuring accountability. Hernandez-Baquero’s success in this area will directly impact the Space Force’s ability to execute its mission and innovate. The ongoing shift towards modular, proliferated systems and off-the-shelf technologies underscores a broader strategic imperative to move faster than competitors. His ability to foster innovation while navigating bureaucratic processes will be crucial for the Space Force to adapt to a rapidly evolving threat landscape and maintain its technological superiority in space.