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Space Systems Command Introduces New System Delta

The new unit aims to synchronize satellite communications acquisition across the U.S. Space Force.

USSF Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, SSC commander, presides over the assumption of command ceremony at which USSF Col. A.J. Ashby assumes command of SYD 88 at Los Angeles Air Force Base on September 12, 2025. SYD 88 supports the SSC’s Military Communications and Positioning, Navigation and Timing Program Executive Office. Credit: U.S. Space Force photo by Van Ha

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) established its new Satellite Communications System Delta (SYD 88) to support its Military Communication and Positioning, Navigation and Timing Program Executive Office’s delivery of integrated narrowband, tactical and strategic satellite communications capabilities.

According to SSC’s press release, Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, the commander of SSC, presided over the September 12 ceremony, during which Col. A.J. Ashby, USSF, assumed command of SYD 88.

“As a field command, we have since realigned our acquisition authorities to the appropriate levels, streamlining decision-making and eliminating inefficient and ineffective processes,” Garrant said. “By doing so, we amplified our lean and agile service to be better positioned to deliver new capabilities at the speed of relevance.”

Instead of senior materiel leaders, SYD 88 has three system program directors that correspond to strategic, tactical and narrowband satellite communications systems. Along with the new system program managers, formerly known as materiel leaders, the system program directors will focus on developing and fielding satellites, ground control segments, data systems and software capabilities to deliver all-domain satellite communications, the release stated.

“We must deliver on this no-fail mission. War-winning combat operations require the ability to shoot, move and communicate through the conflict continuum in benign, contested and nuclear environments,” Ashby said to the personnel of the newly formed SYD 88. “This is an all-hands-on-deck endeavor, and each of you have a role in assuring that we continue to outpace the threat and assure the United States remains the strongest and most lethal force in the world.”

According to the release, SYDs combine system design, development and delivery under one mission-focused command for acquisitions. Space Operations Command’s Mission Deltas, which perform mission generation, intelligence support and cyber defense, are closely aligned with SYDs, so together they can work to improve mission readiness and unify efforts.

Additional SCC SYDs are on the way, according to the release.

“We will build a culture that forges high-performing teams to deliver rapid, resilient and flexible military SATCOM [satellite communications] response options to the president of the United States, the joint force and international partners at the speed of relevance,” Ashby said. “We'll be threat-driven and risk-informed. We'll be relentless in the pursuit of principled acquisition excellence and mission area expertise, and uncompromising in our execution with a laser focus on delivering threat-relevant systems, within threat-relevant timelines, that complicate our adversaries’ space order of battle, increase their cost of competition and shape their perspectives of U.S. space warfighting capabilities.”