General C. Robert Kehler 
Commander, Air Force Space Command

Military acquisition processes are under revision after years of faltering practices and a litany of failed programs. There is a determined effort in the Air Force and in Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) to restore credibility to our acquisition process. Recapturing acquisition excellence is a leadership problem, not a resource problem. In an environment of declining resources and increased desire for capability, precise leadership through the acquisition process will allow programs to meet the needs of the joint warfighter. AFSPC's goal is to "reengineer acquisition to deliver capability at the speed of need." Our focus is to bring agility, speed, and discipline to acquisition. While we are beginning to turn the corner on acquisition problems, we must build upon victories to institutionalize successful practices.

This edition provides a frank and honest discussion of problems with the space acquisition process. The Senior Leader Perspective begins with an explanation of the Air Force acquisition strategy by Mr. Gary Payton, deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space programs. Maj Gen Ellen Pawlikowski, deputy director, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), discusses how the NRO applies lessons learned from the acquisition reform initiatives in the 1990s for the Next Generation Electro-Optical system. Requirements generation begins the acquisition process for AFSPC, which is defined by Col Jay Moody based on his perspective as the deputy director of requirements at Headquarters AFSPC.

Once space and missile program requirements are defined, AFSPC turns to the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). As the only major command with its own acquisition arm, it is fitting for this edition to have an SMC Section, providing a look into SMC and the effort to improve space and missile acquisition.

As the only major command with its own acquisition arm, it is fitting for this edition to have a SMC section, providing a look into SMC and the effort to improve space and missile acquisition. Lt Gen Tom Sheridan, commander of SMC, discusses SMC's mission and long-term future. Mr. Doug Loverro, executive director, SMC, discusses the three phases of acquisition where proper application of lessons learned can yield desired outcomes. With mission assurance as the overarching goal for all programs, Col David Swanson, Dr. Sumner Matsunaga, and Ms. Rita Lollock discuss how SMC uses the results of 11 acquisition studies to deliver mission assurance for future programs. Col Mun Kwon calls for everyone to be a leader in combating acquisition problems and describes how the Program Management Assistance Group at SMC serves to improve the acquisition process. Rounding out the SMC section is an article by Ms. Catherine Steele, vice president of strategic space operations, The Aerospace Corporation. She discusses how Aerospace serves as a vital partner to SMC during the acquisition process.

There are many aspects to the acquisitions process and we are fortunate to have seven articles on space, cyberspace, and missile acquisition by authors providing broad and differing views. Dr. Robert Butterworth analyzes current acquisition reform in context of former Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard's 1971 directives. Col James Fisher discusses the focus on nuclear sustainment as a part of the Air Force's goal to reinvigorate the nuclear enterprise. Education is an important component to restoring acquisition excellence and Dr. Brian Anderson provides a review of the many courses available regarding space acquisition. Dr. Owen Brown and Mr. Paul Eremenko discuss the value-centric acquisition model, which accounts for modern acquisition realities, as an alternative to the current process. A team from the Air Force Institute of Technology tackles the differences with cyberspace acquisitions and offers ideas on how to approach the process. Completing this section is Maj Nick Martin, who deconstructs the many facets of space systems acquisition problems and reviews potential strategies.

The industry perspective on this topic is provided by Maj Gen Thomas Taverney, USAF, retired and Colonel James Rendleman, USAF, retired. They discuss their experiences in context of ten rules for program managers to establish baselines and manage programs.

The Legislative Perspective focuses on national efforts to restore credibility and focus to all DoD programs. Maj Jung Ha details the Weapons Systems Reform Act signed into law in May 2009, reviews the Air Force Acquisition Improvement Plan, and discusses AFSPC application of these guidelines. Our journal comes to a close with Mr. Edward White's review of James Hasik's "Arms and Innovation: Entrepreneurship and Alliances in the Twenty-First Century Defense Industry." The author advocates strength in the defense industrial base through collaborative efforts among companies.

The acquisition process is complex, requiring precision leadership from all involved parties--military, civil, industry, and government. The joint warfighter relies on leaders to get this right, and we will not fail. I hope the articles in this edition ignite thought and inspire excellence in space acquisition. The next edition of the High Frontier Journal will focus on "International Space." I look forward to the thought-provoking dialogue this topic will encourage.
 

Headquarters
Air Force Space Command
Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado 

Commander 
General C. Robert Kehler 

Vice Commander
Maj Gen Michael J. Basla 

Director of Public Affairs
Col Dewey Ford 

Creative Editor
Ms. Nadine Sage 

High Frontier Staff
Mr. Steve Tindell
Dr. Rick Sturdevant
Maj Cathy Barrington
Maj Jung Ha
Maj Vanessa Hillman
Maj Theresa Malasavage
Maj Shay Warakomski

     Published by a private firm in no way connected with the US Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Air Force Space Command.

This command funded Air Force journal is an authorized publication for members of the United States military Services. Contents of High Frontier are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the US Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.

Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Air Force Space Command. All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated.

High Frontier, Air Force Space Command's premier space professional journal, is published quarterly. The journal provides a scholarly forum for professionals to exchange knowledge and ideas on space-related issues throughout the space community.

The journal focuses primarily on Air Force and Department of Defense space programs; however, the High Frontier staff welcomes submissions from within the space community.