Space Systems Command Stands Up New System Acquisition Delta

The U.S. Space Forces’ (USSF's) Los Angeles-based acquisition arm, Space Systems Command, stood up a new system delta last month.

Named the SYD 831 Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation and Timing (MCPNT) Program Executive Office, the new organization will organize military communications, navigation and PNT solutions for the service and joint needs.

“The stand-up synchronizes acquisition efforts for critical space system capabilities with the new system delta working closely with USSF’s Combat Forces Command Mission Delta 31 to improve mission readiness,” the command said in a November 14 statement.

The announcement of the new system delta was delayed by the government shutdown, which ended yesterday.

Col. Neil B. Barnas, USSF, assumed command of SYD 831 in a ceremony on October 2 with SSC Commander Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, USSF. Barnas had led the Global Mission Operations group under SSC’s Space Systems Integration Office.

“Our nation's PNT has long been the gold standard for reliability, integrity, and consistency, but in today's threat environment, that is not enough,” said Garrant, according to the release. “We all must continue to adapt and innovate to counter growing adversarial threats against our PNT systems. This SYD framework will prove to be one that embraces opportunities, energizes unity of effort, and gets after the threat."

As part of SYD 831, senior materiel leaders—now called system program directors—involved in PNT and NAVWAR (Naval Information Warfare Systems Command) systems, along with direct report system program managers, will be developing and fielding next-generation integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and associated user equipment.

The goal is “to deliver robust, resilient PNT capabilities” for the Space Force, the joint force, international partners and civilian users around the world, according to Barnas.

“Navigation warfare—the ability to assure PNT capabilities—is fundamental to the American way of war,” said Barnas. “GPS is also critical infrastructure to our nation’s economy and transportation networks. In this new era of a contested space domain, we must think differently about how we develop, deliver, and modernize our Navigation Warfare systems to ensure we stay ahead of the threat and secure our way of life.”

The SSC is pursuing the system delta concept as a way to better consolidate the design, development and delivery of systems under acquisition.

“The SYDs are complementary to the Combat Force Command Mission Deltas, which are responsible for the sustainment of space systems, and will consolidate all aspects of mission-area readiness under SSC’s current PEO organizational construct,” the command noted. “This new alignment combines current SSC acquisition deltas into SYDs that have mission sets aligned to the Combat Force Command Mission Deltas performing mission generation, intelligence support, and cyber defense.” 

The command expects “minimal” personnel and relocation changes for SYD 831, as system deltas in general do not change the core missions of SSC or other field commands.

“SYD 831 brings together the elements of capability development—program management, engineering, intelligence, logistics, finance, and contracting—under a single organization that is laser focused on delivering the gold standard of PNT capabilities,” Col. Barnas continued. “We are the world’s best at developing these Navigation Warfare systems, and this new System Delta construct postures us to develop advanced capabilities the Joint Force needs to deter and win against adversaries.”