27 April 2023
Opening Keynote
Honorable Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, U.S. Department of the Air Force
The Threat:
Continue to face unprecedented strategic competitor China…contested and congested domain….seeing growth in counterspace threats…
Where Space Acquisitions is Going:
The Air Force and US Space Force will be more resilient, more proliferated, more integrated to meet warfighter requirements. Three items along this effort: 1) Architecture change 2) Capabilities delivered over the course of last year, and 3) how to oversee and manage space acquisition enterprise.
Architecture Change: Move to Proliferated Architecture, Missile Warning/Missile Tracking:
Architecture, moving away from highly capable large satellites to more diversified, proliferated resilient architecture. Proliferated missile warning and missile tracking to address advanced threats and integrated critical capabilities. Space Development Agency (SDA) and SSC developing LEO/MEO architecture through incremental process allows incorporate new technologies and get on orbit fast. SDA launched first round…more to come this summer…also next-gen geo synchronous and next gen polar for missile warning LEO/MEO
Architecture Change: Space Domain Awareness:
Enhance, be able to deter and defend against any attempt to negate space capabilities. Continue [with] Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP), remains hallmark program…adding three new radar sites…upgrading [infrastructure] in US/Hawaii as part of ground based operational surveillance system (GBOSS)…working with Intelligence community…with…Silent Barker, on orbit space domain awareness, different capabilities there….
Architecture Change: MILSATCOM:
MILSATCOM, focusing on disaggregation, proliferation, partnership, capacity expansion…Example with Strategic/tactical on AEHF, future architectures reduce vulnerabilities….Increase architecture diversity with payload…Example with SDA transport layer, resilient well range capability…first 8, another 12 will launch June, 138 more in 24….Example with…WGS by making grounds system improvements, Y-Band satellite comm for WGS 11 and WGS 12/also tactical waveform capability with WGS…MUOS to extend narrow band services as interim gap fillers…
Architecture Change: MILSATCOM/International Partners:
Partnerships with Norway, Enhanced Polar Systems (EPS)/north polar region launch next year…Commercial SATCOM with Luxembourg, cooperative agreements with ten different countries…Holistic efforts, enhance ability to [have] increasing capacity…
Architecture Change: GPS:
Build upon success…with 3 satellites, military signal power…begin testing with navigation tech satellite 3…in space-based prototype, AFRL system. Improve against jamming and spoofing…Cyber hardened with next generation OCX…paying careful attention to this program
Architecture Change: New Start:
Long range kill chains FY24 new start, Space Force Design, develop and deploy an operation space based GMTI, adversary information through ABMS…integral part of JADC2.
Architecture Change: Budget Choices:
Next gen OPIR from 3 to 2, reason Next gen GEO/polar…infrared [systems]is healthy…Delaying purchase of additional 3F satellites, also area that is healthy…enables US Space Force to fund immediate resilient priorities with no impact from civil services…
Capabilities Delivered Over past 15 months:
January 2022, SSC launched two new GSSAP satellites, bringing the total up to six now on orbit…enables USSF immediate and precise orbital predictions, detailed Space Domain Awareness.
July 2022, SSC experimental Wide Field of View demonstration, increased earth coverage over 3000 km at any one time…data from demonstration used to develop future sensors in LEO and MEO…
August 2022, SSC launched…SBIRS, provide ballistic missile warning , critical national defense deterrence
November 2022, SSC launched…LDPE mission. LDPE low-cost multi-mission propulsion platform, multiple prototype mission…launch opportunities more readily than ever before…only 4 years from contract award
Other examples, working towards three years or less:
January 2023: GPS satellites launched, 12 days after launch handover initial operational capability (IOC) to SPOC
January 2023: Space Rapid Capabilities Office, with enhanced situational awareness and one cryptographic payload…all three testing in two months
April 2023: Space Development, first 10 satellites of proliferated architecture: 8 transport, 2 tracking layer…just 31 months after contract award. Second launch occur sometime this summer…necessary benchmark for space acquisitions
Past 15 months, 9 NSSL missions…critical capability of other mission partners.
Other Programs: Launch
Two launch programs: 1) NSSL and 2) Rocket systems launch program. Adapting procurement strategy to best leverage emerging launch capabilities…DoD, IC other mission partners…On track to succeed…
Space demanding NSSL phase 2, meant listening to congressional mandate to get of RD180, provided Assured access to space…FY24, fifth and final year NSSL space contract, ordering 20 launch series for US Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office. Simultaneous procurement phase starting in 25, phase three, dual lane hybrid approach to max competition…industry, transition to more proliferated architecture…less risk tolerable missions…allowing emerging providers to compete when ready…
Complete RSLP rocket systems launch program…much smaller payloads, with suborbital much small targets, 11 different providers, amping [up for] even more providers next year
Ability in space, relies on maintaining assured access [to space]…continue to push the environment to accelerate launch timelines.
Other Programs: TAC-RS
FY24…first time in budget for TAC-RS, emerging need…More than just launch fast, includes satellite, ground…and operations…required to deliver space capabilities to warfighters in rapid on demand space…contested environment.
Competed TAC-RS…in June 21…trying to beat the victors now, 10 months, 60 [days] all up call up….In 2024, within 24 hours have satellite launched, iron out tactics techniques and procedures required for capability.
How oversee and managing acquisition enterprise:
Transforming space acquisition enterprise to add speed to acquisitions. Three organizations that support , SSC, SDA, Space RCO, unique strength in some cases unique authorities…integrated portfolio…weekly activity reports status of each portfolio, biweekly discussions with PEO, quarterly deep dives…discuss government, technical, schedule, cost, staffing, risks and issues…based on data. Latest in February, identified troubled programs to track more closely…program manager briefs biweekly…detailed schedule to get back on course…
Nine Tenants
Oct 2022, issued strategic guidance outline 9 space tenants. New direction to transform space acquisition…Emphasizing speed program management…Tenants include 1) build smaller satellites, smaller ground systems…2)get the acquisition strategy correct…3)enable teamwork between contracting officer and program manger…4)award executable contracts..5)maintain program stability…6) avoid special access program and over classifying…7) deliver ground before launch…8) hold industry accountable…9) Execute (meaning deliver on cost and on schedule that works)
Derived formula…Build smaller, use existing tech, no more than three years contract award to launch, use fixed pricing…allow speed, allow greater technology refresh, three-year cycles, constantly refreshing technology…vision Space acquisition transformation to meet and outpace growing threats.
Ensure collaboration integration…chair acquisition strategy panel…Evaluate newly proposed space systems…make sure optimize approach…all portfolio faster and more integrated…Committed to using all tools and authority…middle tier [acquisitions] identify and field innovative…Using OTA to increase program flex/pool of possible vendors…More resilient, more integrated, more capable, emphasizing rapid space acquisitions…doing so with commercial services, allies partners, collaboration with IC
Our competitors figure out speed time we do the same.
Audience Q&A:
Q: New Capability, GBOS (GEODS mod), still a lot of legacy ground-based systems across Space Surveillance Network (SSN), SATCOM historically dependent on sustainment mod programs. Do you have a strategic vision how to handle those outside programs of record?
SSN, really critical, in need of upgrades. SpRCO working great program…building a whole bunch of different terminals…SSC antenna as a service integrated set of systems…maintain/sustaining properly is really important…specific vision I do not have…just no need to keep programs well-funded and properly maintained.
Q: Don’t think…quick enough…need 10 months/12 month procurement of things…
Longest should be three years…count on industry to help drive that down further…[getting away from 7-10 year build…not specifically saying three years saying want to do things less than three years…
Q: Space cyber, data protection, security resilience requirements getting flown down to program officers…[how], beyond RFP and quarterly reviews?
SDA Tranche 1, RFP, right in front putting up cyber requirements…no one is more serious about cyber than USSF, Cyber defense teams across deltas…
Q: Ideas can go less than three years’ time frame, make RFI to RFP, how do we submit ideas that show can do resiliency options faster?
SpaceWERX, SSC commercial Front Door, AFRL…three take advantage of right now.
Q: …government seen improvement bringing down six years…aggressive, what think improvement areas were to keep hold of strength?
Seen work at NRO, SDA award to launch…can’t build big fast. (less than three years)…got to build smaller and got to take advantage of existing tech…buy buses production lines…proliferated Leo constellations, grab a bus off shelf, add a payload and launch a system…that’s what’s going faster…commercial driving amazing technology…if launch three years or less refreshing…doing SDA/NRO rapid launch, constantly refreshing tech every three years…have to stop culture doing Research and Development, use tech on shelf and then cycle again.
Q: New Tool, contractor responsibility watch list…not something seen used in military/DoD acquisitions…could explain how you use that tool to keep contractors on track?
Process used at NRO, congress wrote into law in 2018, for SSC commander…we haven’t used it quite yet. What it is naughty list…this company having difficulty with program…put on list…says restricted from getting new work until hitting new milestone…supposed to complete a satellite, two years late…give them clear reason how to get off and hold them accountable…have ability to not award them any new contracts/if choose to…real incentive...haven’t seen used yet on DoD have seen IC use effectively.
[End Session]
Building the Future of Space Technology Panel:
Col Stephen Landry, Director of Innovation and Digital Transformation, Chief Technology and Innovation Office, U.S. Space Force
Dr. Steven Meier, Director, Naval Center for Space Technology, Naval Research laboratory
Lt Col Jonathan Shea, Material Leader and Director, DoD Space Test Program (DoD STP), Space Systems Command
Col Dan Visosky, Chief, Space Control Division, Space Programs Directorate [SAF/SQS], USSF
Moderator: Liz Newton, Chief Operating Officer, BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC
Work tied to space efforts:
Q: Describe assurance space domain, work tied to space efforts?
Col Landry: For USSF, CTIO (one of four divisions), 1) science and technology: with AFRL/SSC, this division works with industrial partners, with colleges and universities (university and partnership program) to help Identify science and technology innovations…2) S9, analytic support writes policy and stuff, conjunction with SSC/SQ. 3) works a lot with UDL office, process of trying to identify/utilize and incorporate not only military data, data of commercial activities. 4) Digital infrastructure office, counterpart to SAF/CN, runs enterprise IT side of the house.
Dr. Meier: …Our mission is to first of the kinds, high risk satellite technologies and systems do at a very rapid pace. Small teams and run fast. Core mission support Navy’s maritime needs, Weather, ISR, missile warning, PNT, SATCOM, and long range fires. Work very closely with DoD, IC, civil agencies NASA and NOAA…
Lt Col Shea: DoD Space Test program…integral link between scientific community AFRL ,DAPRA, how to actually get them into space domain…facilitate that through space experiment review board and get experiments either onto launch vehicle or [with] NASA have collaboration on ISS…more DoD experiments via test program on ISS than any other division? Use technologies to support emerging launch capabilities, rapid launch initiative…via DIU OTA authorities…Our key working with large networks of players throughout the entire DoD…so don’t have to do tech maturation risk production phase.
Col Visosky: Space Control, space domain awareness, ground radars, Space Surveillance Network (SSN), effectively enabling division…SAF/AQ/AQS, we are extension of that…help defend programs budget cycle with staffers and others as go through budget cycle…A lot faster now then when under AQ…Programs get a lot more attention now that are SQ because organization that is a lot more streamlined.
Developments in innovation:
Q: Developments in innovation, most excited to see giving emphasis on speed?
Col Landry: Ion (integrated operations network), looking at leverage a lot of cloud based technologies that exists in commercial, and look at bringing into the network…concentrating on integrated divisions SQ and SSC…Space RCO to leverage technologies so have modern network that is survivable, software based…in order to pass amount of data need between organizations…in order to make sure that the products acquisition community delivers…exact same products guardians being trained on…
Dr. Meier: Three areas, not necessarily one to three years. 1) Robotic servicing, 2) Space logistics 3) related to power beaming and space solar power. [Other technology]..satellite calibrates self and operates autonomously. Evolves AI/ML…learns…operates put in a database of landmarks…understand where it is then as it moves around learns how to navigate autonomously…True impact the ability to operate in communications if denied or GPS denied…do not lose communication/navigation.
Lt Col Shea: Cube sat revolution has been exciting… Those are things I'm excited about. The bureaucratic mentality shifted as well. Much more gone to the idea of get something, do fast, follow tenant…into big organizations like SSC…together things [are] game changers…
Col Visosky: Technically, on orbit servicing game changes. TAC-RS could be a game changer as well in terms of how to look at what launching…government did something smart standing up USSF, own top line…S8 being able to get decisions done quickly….Partnerships. SDA, OSD, Space RCO…appearance from outside is all organizations are competing against each other…much more partnering than visible [to] outside world. Gen Sejba working with Dr. Hammett…SDA partnering with Col Denaro group…
Lessons learned on Innovation:
Q: What are some of the most valued lessons learned about innovating successfully in public sector?
Col Landry: Identifying areas to innovate and ways to innovate has been easy…gets more difficult when innovative ideas require a lot of funding…within commercial entity is the culture aspect…if cannot capture hearts and minds of individuals and not grab onto idea and make part of solution, will not be able to implement ideas…stop people from saying that’s the way always done it…
Dr. Meier: Understand Lessons learned: 1) Creating culture of innovation within organization… 2) Embrace failure as move along, failure where you learn, key collect lessons learned when fail. 3) can manage innovation, walking into an org looking at portfolio and setting up criteria… 4) Balance of push vs. pull. Push forward [with technology] that does not have end state…pull looking at a set of requirements by an organization trying to do innovative work 5) building prototypes…learn from cardboard boxes all the way to 3-D printing…6) agile, assess new threats, new technologies, do review and adjust as needed. 7) create diverse teams’ genders, ages, backgrounds, professional experience…8) involving end users early….understand requirements.
Working with International Partners:
Q: How can we best harness international or allied space capabilities?
Col Visosky: Much more interest, space budgets growing across the world with allies…at a time leverage that…if don’t leverage them than might dry up…a lot of allies have very geographically advantageous locations need to leverage that which we are…working with Australia and a couple of others…it is growing…there is challenges from a security perspective…
Lt Col Shea: Biggest barrier us to work with foreign partners is security and a lot of the administrative treaties that have to be worked through…ABL, manifested three foreign spacecraft…England, Germany, Australia…on track to do multinational effort…and have countries open FMS case with United States because of legal/policy administrative issue been discovering…not so much technology…overall see a lot of progress…end up on things like JAXA…QZSS project…very successful partnerships with Japan…Very hard to get through treaty entanglement…
Dr. Meier: Need to work closely with international allies…US national space architecture consists of 1) US satellites 2) allies 3) commercial. Recently, has been cooperation in information sharing, driven higher level policy. NATO recognizes space as a new operating domain…combined space operations division. Worked with several NATO working groups together. Two areas need to work on 1) classification, inhibits flow of information, people tend to over classify things… 2)having to deal with interoperability …
Col Landry: At space symposium, how many other countries represented there even outside of [traditional foreign partners], like Japan, Germany, Scotland,…barrier of entry into space is much lower than used to be…CubeSats’ a lot more countries that can look to develop and utilize space for not only national interests but also commercial interests…we have to be nation of choice…if we are not partnering they are going to find someone else to partner with. Need to take a good hard look at how we share…
Lessons Learned in Public Sector/Government:
Q: Some most valued lessons innovating in the public sector?
Lt Col Shea: …hard to predict, even harder to generate internally, have to let them happen. Seen when government gets out of the way…government doesn’t try to exert excessive control over new technologies, let them occur, mutate, adapt in some cases fail naturally, have the most innovation…space renaissance…most technology happening outside government, gov responsibility control and harness…let go of a lot of the oversight…
Col Visosky: Various [highs] and lows in terms of venture capitalists. A lot of VC flow into space…our job not to squander that. Already seen evidence of cracks, have to be careful…what are we doing to help facilitate what has been spent over the last few years to our advantage.
Other Partnerships/Industry:
Q: What inspiration can you offer industrial base, private public partnerships, collaborating, other opportunities?
Col Visosky: Environment, ecosystem Space Force has created with acquisition will pay dividends in the industry…Flows [improved], PEM shop, a bunch of new initiatives…tremendously worried about…budget docs, who is going to help us…PEO going to work that…as SQ do PEO assignments…
Lt Col Shea: Industry and government collaborate 1) SSC perspective big stand up of SSC front door initiative…avenue come in and find organizations might be for you… 2)Space prototyping review board host by SSC…3) SPWRX AFWRX do SBIRS major avenue to do a lot more…collaboration. 4) events like this
Dr. Meier: Inflection point…launch cost gone down significantly…that has changed significantly 1) launch vehicle 2) ground stations, global ground stations amazon web, pay service. Need data to pull it in. 3) payloads…payloads now commercial vendors producing high resolution SAR, buy these payloads off the shelf at cheaper prices… Need to understand drives commercial and government industry series A, B, C, D, need to understand evaluation at funding stage SPAC versus IPO is…need to understand customer…best way to fund it not a congressional line item…we are performer…opens up doors to work with commercial…I’m looking at small mid-tier commercial companies bring in technology systems…bring deep subject matter experts, full space qualification testing, most important thing bring in contact to defense intelligence and civil communities…
Col Landry: Conjunction SSC Front Door, don’t have monopoly of good ideas…so need to collaborate with industry…SSC front door, there is another way to get into science technology CTIO conjunction with AFRL has technology rapid assessment team. Works in conjunction with Front Door out of SSC. Commercial entities come and talk to us.…ability to pass stuff back and forth. Partnering with some of universities…Industry partners have Arizona, Texas A and M, UCF…
Audience Q&A:
Balance on Speed and Technology Innovation:
Q: Speed, technology/innovation, panels thoughts on balance of those two things…
Col Landry: Have to be mutually supportive…but you can’t necessarily slow down implementation of national asset or a need in order to continue to innovate…have to use smart sprint type of activities to utilize existing capabilities out there while innovating…space force trying to drive…need to innovate, make sure don’t innovate past existing technology…software defined everything…ability to modernize future iterations of satellite. Ground segment/space segment
Dr. Meier: Want speed and innovation, have to be careful. Sometimes people move too fast…contracts incentivized speed, caution steps get skipped…not a good approach…need to get right players on teams…move fast and also innovate at same time…
Col Visosky: Leverage what working on to use government and bring into systems. Protocols with MTA? Beginning part of the process more flexible requirements…have something good enough to take advantage of.
Lt Col Shea: Dangerous, don’t want to outpace the operations community…work in bounds with community servicing.
Col Visosky: leveraging commercial with UDL, basically informs space domain awareness capabilities in the space force. Commercial side bring over and utilize, very important leverage those things.
[End Session]
Morning Keynote
Laura DeSimone, Executive Director, Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Space is Critical:
Space has been and will be critical; develop and deploy united states defense.
Mission at MDA:
…Threat of rogue nation attack…IRAN/North Korea ICBMs. Intent to hold adversaries at will…pivoted protection against limited rogue nation attack. Evolution of the mission [at MDA]…focused on ballistic mission attack.. now designated agency department of defense…also hypersonic defense
MDA, everything revolves around the threat. Close ties to the intelligence community, depend upon all instruments, sensors, worldwide network of sensors…to collect on systems that adversaries are developing…starts design process…takes systems project systems capable of doing…high fidelity models…set those as design requirements…numerous new initiatives to provide groundbreaking technology.
New Program/Korean Peninsula:
A new program to provide enhanced integrated missile defense capability. Korean peninsula…longtime allies on South Korea…deployed systems if you will…closely watch particular threat…adversaries developing and pushing envelope new day…adding penetration aides, counter measures
Change in ballistic missile:
Ballistic missile threat maneuvering in the end game…ballistic path is no longer the weapon of choice from adversaries…maneuvering capabilities for reentry vehicles…carrier killer, target ultimate platform of choice advancing power projection, threatening ability to maneuver freedom we need in seas…
Responding to the Threat:
CNO, asked MDA terminal defense system, sea-based terminal…unique program…leverage existing weapons systems, navy’s premier multi-system. Capability into egis combat system engage maneuver threats in end game. Cornerstone terminal defense system at sea.
New program…deliver midcourse glide phased interceptor for hypersonic defense
Changing Threat:
Quick comparison, looking at threat…three key attributes, speed, maneuver, and ring size. Threats growing, used to be traditionally, ground-based systems…advanced missiles that have been air launched. Change in adversary, limit indications in warning of incoming detection…mobile launchers…some challenges unprecedented changes in threat space.
Continued Mission/Three Priorities:
1) Protect homeland in all phases of flight…Key priorities…homeland defense program…Fort Greely, Vandenberg, heart of system GBI’s protect against road missile attack.
Looking ahead, new interceptor program…Competitive down selection…two contractor teams working on next generation interceptor…preliminary design review.
2) Second major initiative, defense Guam program…strategic location, for forces equipment, number one priority INDOPACOM commander to protect….Lots of legacy equipment integrate together…working to give us both…range…radar capability. Capability all the way down to the deck… Early architecture modifications…PB24 budget…moving out as early capabilities on island
3) Third initiative is the hypersonic defense program…develop active defense system to counter hypersonics…Lay down, active deployed missile defense system. Order of battle homeland defense regional defense, and self-defense/terminal defense….space perspective depended upon OPIR capability…[also] ground based radars to enable us to get early classification and track… terrestrial radars… sea based radar….Indo-Pacific region…
THADD:
C2BMC nodes, C2BMC systems in 24 time zones…worldwide architecture in place now for active systems.. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THADD)…active FMS program
Space and MDA:
MDA uses space…hypersonic…threat specifically developed to try to evolve and evade our defensive systems, particularly our system…ground-based sensors are not going to help us. Important that we are able to get to space with a sensor that is capable to give us series of systems…also sensor itself…discrimination and fire control quality and down to ground based systems…alert right ship, defensive system to engage the target…the system sensor, working on that with industry…two prototypes sensors launched hypersonic ballistic space and tracking sensor. L3Harris and Northrop Grumman are primes on that…get two demonstration satellites on orbit (this summer), so start to do on orbit calibration…latency most challenging aspects…working closely with USSF and SDA (Space Development Agency)…next layer of architecture.
Glide Phased Interceptor Program:
Glide phased interceptor program, midcourse engagement system, develop to intercept hypersonic weapons in glide phase…right now uncontested battlespace…have no capability in mid-course…based on observations from hypersonic testing, high fidelity modeling…closely on concepts to deliver new engagement system…solution analysis…move forward with next phase of development…mature crucial technologies hypersonic…Selecting platform weapon based on legacy systems and platform have today…integration navy ships and vertical launch system…not relying on specific ground based sites…two industry partners Raytheon and Northrop Grumman…
Space Collaboration:
Various areas of space collaboration…work closely with USSF, in services systems…with radars, space domain awareness, five locations throughout world
In development UEWR…supporting space domain awareness, space surveillance network sensors, space command and control…MDA prototypic space-based fire control SF, demos with SDA (Space Development Agency)
Ongoing… with SSC, SDA, MDA, OPIR JOG, JROC, Missile defense OPIR…[current] leadership synch through program integration OPIR, wargaming campaign collaboration
… radar has finishing up construction period…now doing integration…turn over capability [to] space force…operators…familiar with system…adding incremental capability…adding new capability onto system. Flight testing. Finalize technical capability and degradation.
Shifting Architecture:
Moving more towards architecture of having as many sensors as possible fully integrated…sharing information…to track trajectories…changing that perspective as well…ICBM threat transregional…threat systems do not stay in one particular AOR, important have fully netted system of sensors…fully informed track information for potential threats.
Been working really closely with SF enterprise architecture for new capabilities…missile defense requirements are now part of missile warning requirements…demonstrating systems go on orbit this September.
Ground Based Midcourse system…missiles that have been deployed now in various configurations for almost two decades…service live extension program…updating ops…adding new capability…bridge gap…next generation interceptor…late 2020s roll out…
Audience Q and A:
Hypersonics:
Q: Modeling simulation potion, hypersonics…PRC/Russia hypersonic flight tests monthly? Our hypersonic flight tests?
Statistic, last five eras…China executed 100s hypersonic flight tests…can only speak to defensive systems…as we look at threats…our testing does robust test programs…developed deployed sea based...increment three…largely focused increasing battle space…hypersonic threat space capability glide phase interceptor program, early fight test demonstration…key attributes have to mature critical technologies….challenging threat environment…[have to understand all attributes]…prior to preliminary design review…a couple years before go there…
Risk Tolerance with Going Fast:
Q: Risk tolerance, going fast, agency’s approach balancing going fast to tolerating certain risks? What are demands from other stakeholders in DC community?
Missile Defense built for speed…event advent and transition…given by department special authorities…work directly with warfighters to get requirements…those cornerstones still in place…missile defense cornerstone program. Many stakeholders…significant investment…make sure spending that money in the most efficient way as possible…getting flight testing…big event demonstrating power of missile defense…explore performance more efficiently…flight tests…large sections of pacific oceans… [and other] assets in place, using Vandenberg Space Force Base…getting to programs…high visibility systems. INDO-PACOM defensive Guam program …RKV towards next generation…got early drafts RFP out to industry…another aspect is critical good communication…Industry days, sources sought, robust discussions. Advent capability moving towards model-based engineering…challenge sometimes legacy systems. Whether worth investment…or new programs.
GBTI:
Q: Elaborate a little bit on the technology development phase for GBTI, details speed development of program…move to the left a little bit?
Glide phased interceptor program…couple different strategies…focus on maturing critical technologies…areas include kill vehicle, divert attitude control system, seek windows…not just materials…looking at development of new algorithms for processing…preserve functionality through performance…early on three industry teams down selected to two…industry has said can go faster and think can accelerate program…looking at potential partnerships to help with investments and technology maturation phase…focus is on us right now to deliver, we have to show and make progress in early development…
[End Session]
Unlocking Space Innovation Through Acquisition Fireside Chat
Stephanie Possehl, Director, Space & Missile Defense (DoD)
Moderator: John Moberly (Moderator), SpiderOak
Q&A
Q: How ended up here, engineer, career civil servant, now really working acquisition strategy at DoD level…acquisition policy?
…Spend a couple of years at R&E…modernize system engine…adapt engineering more flexible new adaptive acquisition pathways…approach to looking at portfolios, not just programs. It’s a different kind of approach to oversee individual programs…looking across all programs to see a balanced approach meeting requirements and fielding mission needs.
Acquisitions Framework:
Q: Adaptive acquisitions framework?
Before 2020, shift within acquisition world, put forth different kind of pathways program manager might choose that might be more appropriate for major acquisitions…always opportunities to tailor within the original acquisition framework…sometimes hard to tailor way that you want…just because can do something…authority to do something doesn’t mean system lets you do it. Ones most leveraged in terms of adaptive acquisitions framework…middle tier of acquisition…one rapid prototyping…really focused on demonstrating capabilities quickly, operational use where want to go there…software pathway…acknowledgement continuous development fielding cycle…turn software quickly often you can and as much as need to…other piece middle tier, is rapid fielding…haven’t seen a lot of that yet in space…
Acquiring Software:
Q: We haven’t had the best approaches for acquiring software…unlocking innovation, how do you see systems of systems approach?
What’s driving us to more innovation and go quicker…how do you balance speed and risk…more engineering that needs to happen….middle tier, what is transition path (focus), demos and getting out there quickly…demand something that needs more development timeline. Major capabilities…promising and want to develop further…hitting something now SDA (Space Development Agency)…developing tranches leveraging middle tier…trying to apply that as continuous model…conversations...MTA’s looking at does that make since long term…more of spiral development approach…trying to portfolio approach taking now…also trying to help things along mission focused on achieving mission looking for warfighters be successful…
Lessons Learned in Acquisitions:
Q: What are the PMs doing now? Lessons?
MDA has some flexibility that the rest of DoD doesn’t necessarily enjoy…software activities MDA has the ability to do software pathway…Cycle of continuous development…spiral development approach…projecting forward…fact adaptive acquisition frameworks put more flexibility out there for everybody is a good thing…
FY24 Budget
Q: How do you see the budget in FY24 shaping acquisition framework and adaptations fitting?
Biggest thing that helps us is the portfolio approach…a couple of portfolio level things…joint staff capability portfolio management reviews…look across capability gaps…what systems available…what are we not covering...places might need to invest additional capabilities…AMS acquisition program reviews gaps/overlaps. Make decisions across programs…Space much like cyber, crosses all kinds of missions…Space portfolio, not just about sensors, enable all sorts of weapon systems…integrated acquisition portfolio review…what comes out with that is recommendations on what we need to do to fix challenges… part of what we seeing…in space world we really need high level architecture development…in terms of what should we be developing…what is pros and cons…mix large versus proliferation of smaller [systems]…make investments in modeling and simulation…important invest in those kinds of things…weather capability can be expanding to do more and what payoff of those…bite sized pieces…then got to go through effort what do I miss?…figure out how work into other viewpoints.
Multi-Orbit Integration:
Q: Integrating Multi-orbits? Anything to add?
SWAC working on analysis across a lot of SATCOM PNT…space control doing a lot of different slices of analysis put architectures together…people are seeing hybrid approach balancing risk to individual satellites, individual constellations…how do we make sure ground stations and user equipment and terminals…tend to be last thing think about…don’t get full capability until have all parts.
Portfolio Oversight:
Q: Complexity secure communications becomes critical, ground key role…
One of places where portfolio can help…chop those things up into different programs satellites, terminals, ground stations…each program does own thing…such opportunity for things to get disconnected…do have forums…PNT oversight council [as example]…has been taking that kind of enterprise portfolio things for a while….Smaller system having challenges…doesn’t get fusion of funding attention…trying to find those placed…challenges satellites and terminals are already coming, that’s a problem too…cross services kind of things…USSF done with piece here…Navy needs to be aiming for same point…change budget around…and how make all systems work together for joint force
Cyber/Software Role (and other Aspects):
Q: Integrating technical and nontechnical aspects. Cyber being a common threat…
Making architecture mainly, put lots of flexibility into some of these pathways, don’t require as much documentation…how are they still being thought about...not thinking about manufacturability…how do we find materials…parts management activities that still need to be done when doing things at scale…how do we balance kind of things…R&E risk assessment programs major milestones….
Software pathway
Q: Software pathway, expand on that…? How it works getting away from wire development more spiral development
Couple of efforts, some already in and some transition out of MTA’s into software pathways. Challenge between traditional requirements and setting process have…purely commercial…agile constraints what needs to be done…Working [with] them on making sure have warfighter engagement in requirement setting...hard to figure out good path…multiple users, different priorities and different requirement sets...how do you do cost estimating for agile development. Still a tendency…just estimate lines of code…how do we get away from estimating a more adaptable cost estimate. The other one is testing…test community how do you test rapidly evolving things. Best path, mainly software systems use pathways and do continuous development.
Audience Q &A:
IDTA vs. OTA:
Q: IDTAs? Good thing or Bad Thing? OTA’s?
It depends…pros and cons…the intention to be able to open doors to nontraditional contractors…Is a really good thing. Because cumbersomeness of traditional government contracting can be a barrier for lots of government companies…made for non-traditional …have to know what you want…want nice parts about FARR…are a nice safety net…so well developed thought out…OTA allows a lot of flexibility…depends on what trying to accomplish, what’s the best thing for that application
[End Session]
Closing Keynote
DASD John Hill, Deputy Assistant Secretary Space and Missile Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy [SP], U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
Conflict not inevitable:
Plumb…remarks conflict with China is not inevitable…surveyed security environment ongoing efforts to deter conflict, reviewed organization changes that US has made in defense space…summarized leverage commercial space innovation, partnering allies, changing mindset with space classification, transitioning space traffic coordination activities to Department of Commerce….
Responsibility to Joint Force:
1st responsibility to ensure that our joint force and our national leadership…all have best advantages of space…be prepared and protect joint force allies and partners from hostile uses…tie back to NSS and NDS
Strategic Competition:
Today the US and democracies are in the midst of strategic competition to shape the future of international orbit…PRC harnessing capacity…committed managing responsibility…peace in Europe…autocrats undermine democracy…oppression at home and commercial abroad.
Space: Way of Life
2022 space priorities framework…. Document underscores space activities modern way of life, world free open prosperous and secure…Space activities advance understanding of earth human, jobs, enhance health wellbeing, inspire…systems critical data, products, services that drive innovation united states…assured access to and use of space is vital interest.…clear understanding safety security…long term sustainability... global concern…defense understand our competitors, developing and deploying systems in space…
DoD’s Role:
Defense department, our job is to Deter conflicts, requires DoD space community makes full contribution, called integrated deterrence…NDS directs DoD to act urgency to sustain deterrence with
PRC. Four priorities defend homeland, peace, deterring strategic attack, deterring aggression, while being prepared to prevail in conflict when necessary…building resilient joint force…
Three Approaches:
NDS describes environment…strategic competition China, acute threat Russia…three approaches 1 integrated deterrence, tougher cutting-edge capabilities…any domain and theater 2) campaigning securing military initiatives to advance priorities over time…strengthens deterrence building warfighter advantage…3 build enduring advancements accelerating force development, capabilities technology, investments on people.
Multi-Domain Approach
Live in area multi-domain attacks…vital infrastructure…that requires having a multi domain approach to deterrence…true in space domain…empowers joint force across all domains…space systems and networks…most also be resilient…
Strategic Competition:
Strategic competition increasingly using space-based capabilities…space-based capabilities to enable their combat power...improve our means…our joint forces…importance of defense department that placed on commercial space…normalize commercial space as operational domain…need to strengthen industrial base…must also increase collaboration in private sector, especially commercial industry to enable new capabilities
Working with Allies and Partners:
NDS underscores the importance of working allies and partners…SDA and norms of responsibility behavior. SDA critically important foundational capability, builds on SSA understanding locations, trajectories, adds in information about specific capabilities of those objects in space and potential intentions…it is a fact that China and Russia developing counter space satellites and anti satellite missile…both actively developing cyber space tools…means developing cyber systems…space domain awareness integral our ability to protect and to attribute those acts…commercial capabilities advancing rapidly…area in which allies who share views…how security stability in space contribute to security, stability…greater cooperation in space…several countries expand network ground based space based sensors…collective advantages…
Norms of Behavior:
Norms of behavior…departments work in international space…notable activities that want to highlight. Existing space legal framework…international law, has served international community well over many decades, However as apace activity evolves…norms rule principles, must also evolve…shared understanding…reduce potential for misconceptions and miscalculations…[Example]Department of state…2021 issues five tenets of responsible behavior in space… [Example] Vice President Harris, all nations committing not to conduct destructive ASAT test…those steps in turn led to United Nations assembly resolution…advance norms and responsibility…DoD strongly supported this step and closely supported Department of State advancements…155 nations joined together over objections…
Role of Space Industry:
Space industry and commercial space operators important partners in multilateral initiative…commercial operators, debris mitigation experts, development of international standards…industry provides best practices in space operations…United States believes [Space is] vital…benefits all humanity…binding international law regarding space, US supports non-binding norms of responsible behavior and best practices. Continue to lead the international community sustainable exploration…Department of Defense continue to work with industry, security partners, space operators around the world…
Audience Q&A:
Deterrence Definitions
Q: Difference between integrated deterrence and traditional Deterrence?
Tradition has over the last several decades become centrally focused on nuclear deterrence. That some atrophy in recognition that deterrence is a lot more than ability to have massive response in cost imposition always been denial benefits without operating much more at conventional level…[Integrated Deterrence] battle space multi domain all domain…interaction military/nonmilitary, conversional and nuclear…US role allies and partners which is important…understanding all of it interconnections of interests…opens up new set of opportunities how to use levers a nationals disposal to shape perception and understanding…
Policy Regarding Moon Activity:
Q: PLA conducting activity on the moon surface? Policy treaty? Prohibited?
The Outer Space treaty addresses questions of military installations on the moon, does not say military officers can be on moon, NASA astronauts [example]…it’s the question of activities and what people do, government in that context do…have to look at the inherent nature of what people/nations are doing…
Classification:
Q: Topic of deterrence, changing classification mindset…what’s being done around conceal and reveal concept…
Challenges, classification issues, much more to do with the ability to integrate new systems and capabilities into the operational force…prepare for them…that’s a question less about classified unclassified…as opposed to what’s the level of classification…deterrence has a lot more to do with everything between…
[End Session]
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