Space Force Pursues Rapid Delivery of Minimum Viable Capability

The US Space Force is seeking to balance speed and capability in its acquisition reform efforts, with a focus on delivering systems with ‘minimum viable capability’ that can be incrementally improved. The service aims to reduce testing requirements and streamline the testing process, but must also ensure that the minimum viable products are actually useful and beneficial to warfighters. This approach may have implications for the development of future space systems, and could impact the types of systems that are developed and the pace at which they are delivered. The Space Force’s acquisition reform efforts are being led by Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, acting assistant secretary for space acquisition and integration at the Department of the Air Force, and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. This initiative was first reported by Breaking Defense.