Accession Number:

ADA561783

Title:

A Strategic Approach for Space Acquisition

Descriptive Note:

Strategy research project

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Rade, Timothy

Report Date:

2012-03-14

Pagination or Media Count:

36.0

Abstract:

The impending federal budget reduction is a watershed event for the Department of Defense DoD and presents the DoD with an opportunity to implement a new strategic approach for managing its space acquisition portfolio. The looming funding reduction, in concert with emerging guidance from senior leadership and strong Congressional criticism of space programs, have significantly altered the strategic environment for space acquisition. The DoD must take advantage of this new environment to fundamentally reshape how it acquires space capabilities for the nation. The DoD needs a new strategic approach founded on three lines of effort. The DoD must develop and communicate a prioritized investment plan, change how it manages space program requirements, and pursue new space mission architectures that use small satellites. These recommendations will synchronize efforts across the space acquisition community to make it more efficient and improve program cost and schedule performance. It will make our space mission architectures more resilient to technical problems or adversary action. Finally, this strategic approach will reduce Congressional criticism and increase their support for national security space programs.

Descriptors:

• *FEDERAL BUDGETS
• *NATIONAL SECURITY
• *SPACE MISSIONS
• *STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
• ACQUISITION
• ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES
• COSTS
• EFFICIENCY
• GUIDANCE
• INVESTMENTS
• LEADERSHIP
• REDUCTION
• REQUIREMENTS
• SCHEDULING
• SPACE SCIENCES

Subject Categories:

• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Unmanned Spacecraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE