Space Acquisition - Air Force Space Command

and acquisition of space systems; explores space asset capabilities,
limitations, and vulnerabilities; and associated application
and employment in joint military operations. The students receive
about three full days of acquisition instruction taking them
from requirements development through a simulated source selection.
Students use a much more hands-on learning method,
actually developing key performance parameters for a satellite
they design during the four-week course. They also learn how
immature technology is plaguing current acquisition programs.
The students conclude the block of lessons by demonstrating the
ability to construct and present an acquisition strategy. “Interestingly
our students often comment on how valuable the acquisition
instruction is in our courses. Although these courses simply
provide a general overview of the acquisition process, for several
students it is their first time studying and engaging in informed
dialogue concerning the challenges of acquiring space capabilities,”
says Col Michele Putko, NSSI dean of academics. 7
Probably the most extensive piece of the space acquisition
education occurs in Space 300. Space 300 is the NSSI’s capstone
course for space PCE. This course is designed to reinforce
concepts from Space 200 while preparing students for leadership
roles with the knowledge and understanding to address
issues from a strategic perspective and the ability to integrate
space effects into joint military operations and planning. Space
300 provides a comprehensive background on national security
space asset employment and integration into joint military operations
presented with context of national and subordinate strategy,
policy, doctrine, and international and domestic law. It is a real
thinker’s course, using guided discussion techniques to teach tomorrow’s
space leaders to solve space problems bearing on national
security. To my knowledge, no one has ever walked away
from Space 300 and said, “That was easy!” Instructors give a
short review of the acquisition concepts taught in Space 200 and
immediately dive into a three-day immersion in space acquisition.
Students are taken through the requirements development
process, given an in-depth overview of how science and technology
affect space acquisition, and even get a dedicated lesson
on how the US space industrial base affects current acquisitions.
Students use the Space-Based Infrared Satellite program as a
case study to analyze technology and management issues that
led to its first Nunn-McCurdy breach. They then develop and
recommend a way ahead. They wrap up their acquisition lessons
with an analysis on operations transitions issues and each student
produces a case study analysis. Lt Col Nery Grieco states, “The
primary objective of the acquisition process is to obtain quality
space systems that satisfy user needs while improving mission
capability and operation support in a timely manner and at a reasonable
price. Successful acquisition can only be met by a collaborative
effort between acquirers and operators. This is one the
key messages we want our Space 200 and Space 300 graduates
to take away and implement throughout their space professional
careers.” 8 Through the efforts of the NSSI instructors, this message
comes through loud and clear.
Air Force Space Command recently released its command
goals. Goal number five reads, “Reengineer acquisition to deliver
capability at the speed of need.” 9 In order to meet that goal,
people must have the foundational training and education provided
by schools like the ASOPS and the NSSI. Col Robert Gibson,
commander of NSSI states, “We must have a clear vision of
tomorrow’s space needs in order to smartly, and appropriately,
begin the acquisition processes today. Higher training and education
provided by the ASOPS and NSSI is integral to preparing
space leaders with the best acquisition know-how.” 10 Through
the efforts of the ASOPS and NSSI, students are getting the training
and education they need to achieve the goal.
Notes:
1
Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, Public Law 111-
23, 111 th United States Congress, 1 st session.
2
Ashton B. Carter, Secretaries of the Military Departments and Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department Position on Acquisition Reform,
memorandum, 12 May 2009.
3
For more information about the schools themselves, see their combined
Web site at https://www2.peterson.af.mil/nssi/CESET/index.htm.
4
Mr Jim Moschgat, NSSI/CD.
5
ICBM Advanced Course Syllabus.
6
Missile Warning and Defense Advanced Course Syllabus.
7
Col Michele Putko, NSSI Dean of Academics.
8
Lt Col Nery Grieco, Systems Engineering Technical Committee Instructional
Systems Development.
9
AFSPC Goals, 2009.
10
Col Bob Gibson, NSSI/CC.
Dr. Brian K. Anderson (BS,
Astronautical Engineering, Purdue
University; MS, Systems
Engineering, Florida Institute of
Technology; PhD, Systems Engineering,
University of Alabama) is
the Colorado site director for the
Defense Acquisition University.
In that capacity he is the liaison to
the Space Education and Training
Center and a Department of Defense
space acquisition instructor.
He has over 25 years of experience
in space operations and acquisition
as both an enlisted member and officer in the US Air Force.
Dr. Anderson’s assignments include: lead engineer for the RF-
4C, F-4E, and F-16 navigation systems at Newark AFS, Ohio; assigned
to Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral AFS, and Patrick
AFB, Florida; chief of the Space Test Facilities Division at Arnold
AFB, Tennessee with follow-on duty as the chief of the wing commander’s
action group; B-1B Bomber System Program Office at
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Dr. Anderson wrote the DoD Space Control Strategy and oversaw
the publication of the DoD’s first space doctrine while assigned
to USSPACECOM, Peterson AFB, Colorado. He was deployed
in the Future Operations Branch for Operations Noble Eagle and
Enduring Freedom. He planned Special Access Program activities
for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM that supported the liberation of
that nation. He went on to be the Air Force’s first space operator
to command a squadron with a flying mission at the US Air Force
Academy in 2003.
Dr. Anderson is a recipient of the General Bernard Schriever
Award for Space and has been selected as one of our nation’s Top
100 Outstanding Young Americans. He has been published in multiple
periodicals and is a guest lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, the United Kingdom’s Joint Services Command
and Staff College, as well as US professional military education
institutions.
High Frontier 36