A successful Space Force is a strategic imperative for U.S. national security. It will bring greater focus and capability to space warfighting, training and overall readiness, at a time when space is more congested and contested, while also playing a central role in everyday commerce, communication and national defense.
The Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), headquartered in El Segundo, California, serves as the U.S. Space Force center of excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems.
The timing could not be better. Last year, SMC completed the largest transformation in its 65 year history. The re-architecture created a more nimble powerhouse focused on enterprise operations across mission areas. Enhancing partnerships; both commercial and allied; fostering innovation; embracing a culture of ownership and risk tolerance; and executing with speed, creates the new paradigm!
Four Program Executive Officers (PEOs) with acquisition decision authority oversee more than 100 SMC programs. This effort eliminated layers of bureaucracy, flattened the organization, and aligned more than 1,200 personnel and decision makers closer to their programs and teams. The new SMC model has instantiated a culture of continuous innovation and process improvement that will continue to serve national security and the warfighter for the long term.
The Impact of E.P.I.C. Speed
SMC is fielding fast, relevant and affordable game-changing solutions in support of our nation and the world. As an example, SMC awarded more than $22 million dollars in same-day contracts to 30 non-traditional small business companies and start-ups at the organization’s inaugural Air Force Space Pitch Day. The next Space Pitch Day is scheduled to take place this coming November.
SMC is in lock step with the U.S. Space Force to infuse innovation and a mission-focused force to protect the global commons of space.
“The threat in space to our national security is very real. We’re making huge strides in our journey of transforming space acquisition and delivering war winning space capability.”
Lt. Gen. John Thompson
SMC Mission Areas
The Impact of E.P.I.C. Speed
SMC is fielding fast, relevant and affordable game-changing solutions in support of our nation and the world. As an example, SMC awarded more than $22 million dollars in same-day contracts to 30 non-traditional small business companies and start-ups at the organization’s inaugural Air Force Space Pitch Day. The next Space Pitch Day is scheduled to take place this coming November.
Did you know?
• SMC is responsible for approximately 84% of the DOD Space Budget.
• SMC’s team of ~6,000 space professionals represents a combined 100,000 years of space development experience.
• Space capability is critical to the American way of life and the modern global economy.
• Today, almost all joint operations rely on the space capabilities acquired and fielded by SMC.
Meet our experts at Space Symposium.
Exhibit Center North, Booths 1438 & 1341
Contact Space & Missile Systems Center: SMC@us.af.mil