U.S. Space Force Unveils Industry Collaboration Reforms to Speed Capability Delivery
The U.S. Space Force is initiating several reforms to enhance its collaboration with industry and accelerate capability delivery. The service is expanding its 'Front Door' web portal, launching a news training course, and rethinking its technology purchasing process.
The Space Force is expanding its 'Front Door' web portal initiative to collect innovative ideas from industry. These ideas will be evaluated against Space Force needs, fostering a more collaborative relationship. Meanwhile, a 10-week qualification training course is being launched for new acquisition officers. This course will focus on program management, contracting, and testing new hardware and software, equipping officers with essential skills.
Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force's top officer, emphasized the need to accelerate capability delivery. To achieve this, the Space Force is considering commercially available technologies for rapid deployment and improvement. The service is also developing a 'Future Operating Environment' document to guide investment decisions based on anticipated adversary developments over the next 15 years.
SpaceX is already working with the Space Force to advance their collaboration, as seen in their agreement to recover and reuse Falcon 9 boosters on National Security Space Launch missions. This move signals a shift from a transactional to a more integrated cooperative relationship.
The Space Force is committed to improving its acquisition process and fostering a more collaborative environment with industry. With over 4,000 personnel in its acquisition workforce, the service is well-positioned to drive these changes. While acknowledging the complexity of government acquisition, the Space Force remains optimistic about opportunities for improvement, aiming to keep pace with adversaries like China.
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