Space Force Unveils New Acquisition Structure for Space Operations

The US Space Force has established 7 mission-focused acquisition portfolios, including offices for space control and orbital warfare, to support its space operations. The portfolios were announced by Tom Ainsworth, the top space acquisition officer, at the McAleese Defense Programs Conference. The Space Force plans to partner with NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop cislunar capabilities. The acquisition portfolios are designed to implement the wide-ranging reforms championed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The first 4 PAEs have been officially established, with the remaining 3 to be announced. The Integration PAE will serve as the chief engineer function and overall enterprise system architect function. The Space Force press release provided more details on the 4 established PAEs, including Missile Warning and Tracking, Infrastructure, Battle Management, Command and Control, Communications and Space Intelligence, and Satellite Communication and Position, Navigation & Timing.