U.S. Space Force leaders consider strategies for acquisitions for filling-in perceived capability gaps
WASHINGTON – The newly establish U.S. Space Force is expected to deliver a report outlining its acquisition plans to Congress by the end of the month, but in a series of hearings earlier this month lawmakers got a first look at how Space Force leadership is approaching the problem. C4ISRnet reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
16 March 2020 -- One of the primary issues the Space Force faces in organizing its acquisitions is the relationship between the three main space acquisitions entities: the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), the Space Development Agency (SDA), and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO).
SMC is the largest of the three and has been responsible for most Air Force space acquisitions, while the other two organizations were established in the last two years to address specific capability gaps. Legislation passed by Congress called for creation of a position in fiscal year 2022 to oversee the three organizations, but it did little to clarify their roles or relationships, leading to some concerns of redundancy.
Space Force Vice Commander Lt. Gen. David Thompson reportedly stated that the three entities would be put under the jurisdiction of a new Space Systems Command, although they will continue to be three separate organizations.
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John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
