For decades, the space industry has been plagued by the issue of mission aggregation on large satellites. This practice has led to costly delays, mystifying schedule overruns, and increased vulnerability to attack. Despite calls from senior leaders to reverse this trend, little progress has been made.
However, the Space Force has recently announced plans to address this problem with a four-step approach.
Step 1: Start with a Clean Sheet
The first step is to start with a clean sheet. This means abandoning the legacy programs that have led to the current state of affairs and developing a new acquisition strategy based on what capabilities are needed and can be produced with today’s technology.
Step 2: Competitively Award Fixed-Price Contracts
The second step is to competitively award fixed-price contracts to deliver mission capability on short timelines. This will incentivize companies to innovate and deliver results quickly.
Step 3: Get Out of the Way
The third step is to get out of the way while companies are completing the terms of their contracts. This means giving them the autonomy to design and build the systems they have promised, without government interference.
Step 4: Relentlessly Focus on Off-the-Shelf Capabilities
The fourth step is to relentlessly focus on what will be available off the shelf that can be included in the next set of fixed-price competitions. This will ensure that the Space Force is always getting the latest and greatest technology at the best possible price.
By following these four steps, the Space Force can transform its mission acquisition process and improve the effectiveness of its space systems. This will help to ensure that the United States maintains its dominance in space and is prepared to meet the challenges of the future.
