El Segundo, CA -- Space Systems Command (SSC), the U.S. Space Force (USSF) field command responsible for acquiring, developing and delivering resilient space capabilities, stood up its newest System Delta (SYD) through a stand-up and assumption of command ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Sept. 9, 2025. The new System Delta 81 (SYD 81), headquartered at Peterson SFB, Colo, delivers capability in support of STARCOM’s mission to develop Guardians and validate capabilities and concepts to ensure USSF combat effectiveness.
SSC’s USAF Brig. Gen. Michelle Idle, mobilization assistant to the SSC commander, presided over the ceremony at which USSF Col. Corey Klopstein assumed command of SYD 81.
“The Space Force’s System Delta framework aligns our acquisition programs within mission areas, allowing us to synchronize efforts and streamline the work between acquisitions and operations with our Mission and Space Delta counterparts,” Idle said. “The framework consolidates and unifies command authorities and activities to foster unit cohesion, align command priorities, and optimize the force.”
SYD 81 advances High-End Advanced Test, Training, and Tactics (HEAT3) development, distributed training capabilities, and live test and training ranges. It also builds out the underlying infrastructure to connect and integrate test and training events, and provide the rapid delivery of products and services to support wargames and exercises.
“Our mission in SYD 81 is to build and field capabilities so Space Training and Readiness Command and Space Operations Command (SpOC) can successfully meet their readiness needs,” Klopstein said. “We leverage partnerships across field commands, the intelligence community, laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and University Affiliated Research Centers, to rapidly deliver capabilities needed to support operational testing, combat training, and tactics validation. SYD 81 members come to work every day with a laser focus-- every system tested, every tactic proven, and every Guardian ready!”
The new SYD 81 contains one System Program Director (SPD), formerly known as a Senior Materiel Leader. In addition to the SPD, there are five System Program Managers (SPM), formerly known as Materiel Leaders. The SPD and SPMs are focused on supporting cross mission tactics, ensure Guardians are able to counter a thinking and motivated adversary and validate weapon systems performance while training Guardians for combat.
SYDs consolidate the design, development, and delivery of systems under a mission-focused command structure for acquisitions, and are complementary to the Delta constructs across the field commands.
The new alignment combines current SSC acquisition organizations into SYDs that have mission sets aligned to SpOC Mission Deltas performing mission generation, intelligence support, and cyber defense, and STARCOM’s Space Deltas executing Training (Delta 1), Doctrine & Wargaming (Delta 10), Range and Aggressors (Delta 11) and Test and Evaluation (Delta 12) and Education (Delta 13).
The aligned Mission Deltas, Space Deltas and SYDsare structured to work together to improve mission readiness, achieve unity of command and effort, and ensure the Nation’s interests in, from, and to space. Additional SSC SYDs are slated for stand-up in the coming weeks completing the synchronization of acquisition efforts for new capabilities.
Minimal changes in physical relocation of personnel are anticipated, and the SYD stand-ups do not change the core missions of SSC or other field commands. USSF’s field command structure – SpOC, SSC, and STARCOM remain the same.
“The efforts across SYD 81 will ensure our Guardians are equipped with the right tools, able to validate capabilities and enhance combat effectiveness,” Klopstein said Since day one, we have embraced change as an opportunity and know our team will work tirelessly to ensure our Guardians are ready.”
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations. For more information, visit ssc.spaceforce.mil and follow @USSF-SSC on LinkedIn.
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