The military’s long-time purchasing process won’t work for the Space Force, the branch’s procurement chief, Frank Calvelli, has said, according to Space News, which cites a new memo it has reviewed.
“The traditional ways of doing space acquisition must be reformed in order to add speed to our acquisitions to meet our priorities,” Calvelli wrote in the memo, Space News reported. “To gain speed we must shorten development timelines by building smaller satellites, acquiring ground and software intensive systems in smaller, more manageable pieces that can be delivered faster, using existing technology and designs.”
He outlined nine tenets for future procurement, according to the article, which provides further detail on each principle. They are: build smaller satellites; get the acquisition strategy correct; enable teamwork between contracting officers and program managers; award contracts with realistic cost and schedule targets; maintain stability in programs; avoid over-classifying programs; deliver ground systems before launch; hold industry accountable for results; and execute and deliver capabilities that work.
Calvelli’s memo said the last tenet in the list is the most important, because “[s]uccess is measured by executing on plan.”
Calvelli, right, with Space Force Lt. Gen. John Shaw, U.S. Space Command deputy commander. USSPACECOM photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Philip Wagner Jr.
