Reorganization Aims to Streamline Data Sharing and Acquisition
The Space Force is reorganizing its Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) cell to enable routine integration of space domain awareness (SDA) data and analysis from commercial operators into day-to-day military operations. This initiative will extend beyond US Space Command to encompass all Combatant Commands.
Transitioning from Test Bed to „Enduring Construct”
JCO Director Barbara Golf announced at the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) conference in Hawaii that the reorganization aims to transform the JCO from a test bed for sharing unclassified SDA data into an „enduring construct” with bureaucratic stability. The goal is to establish methodologies for JCO to serve as a conduit for transmitting commercial, and eventually allied, SDA information to operators at the far-flung US Combatant Commands. The new JCO will function as „a data provider and analytical services provider.”
Two-Part Reorganization
The reorganization will have two main components:
- Enabling warfighters to use commercial SDA.
- Acquiring commercial data and products that meet their needs.
Commercial SDA services will be provisioned by the JCO to the Combatant Commands via the Space Force’s operational deltas (the equivalent of Air Force wings) and the service’s components that function as liaison units to the Combatant Commands. This will function as mission support, similar to an IT office.
Integrating Data into the Unified Data Library
Commercial SDA data acquired by the JCO is put into the Unified Data Library (UDL), which is being updated to enable machine-to-machine interfaces with operational systems. The ease of sharing data from the UDL to various Space Force deltas currently depends on the modernity of their software systems.
Challenges in Integrating Legacy Systems
Integrating commercial data into the systems used by Mission Delta 2, which is responsible for the SDA mission of tracking enemy satellites, has been challenging due to the delta’s responsibility for legacy sensors that provide missile warning. This is because the system is tightly controlled for missile warning upgrades.
Linking Acquisition to Mission Support
The JCO reorganization will need to link back to the Space Force’s main acquisition command, Space Systems Command (SSC), to acquire the commercial data and analytical products needed by warfighters. The acquisition tradecraft developed under the JCO needs to be integrated with an SSC element. The final organizational chart will tie to both field commands, encompassing the acquisition element and the mission support element across all operations.
Short-Duration, Competitive Acquisition Model
On the acquisition side, the JCO model is based on „short duration, competitive, constant on-boarding,” where contracts with commercial firms are made only for a four- to six-week period. This rapid turnover is necessary to keep up with the pace of innovation and evolving military requirements.
The aim is to ensure that companies remain hungry and continue to innovate.
