Artist’s rendering of WGS-11+

News

SSC commander releases 2026 commitments, command plan updates

  • Published
  • By SSC Public Affairs
EL SEGUNDO, Calf. --  The commander of the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) released the 2026 commitments, command plan updates, and stakeholder feedback during a keynote address today as part of the opening of AFCEA’s annual Space Industry Days (SID).

During his keynote, USSF Lt. Gen. Philip A. Garrant, commander, SSC, underpinned the importance of accountability and feedback to continue growth that postures the command to meet the acquisition demand signal and reform necessary to improve lethality and maintain decisive advantage in, from, and to space.

As part of the address, he provided industry, military, and other government partners with an assessment of the field command since the release of the SSC Command Plan in late 2024, noting the importance of adherence to a high standard.

“Less than fifteen months ago, at our last Space Industry Days, I made a promise to you that we would conduct research, seek feedback, and evaluate ourselves,” Garrant said.
Through the use of data and performance sentiments from across its stakeholder groups, Garrant shared that the field command was able to capture and rank its ability to deliver and meet expectations.

“The data shows we are delivering and measures progress, but the sentiment helps us understand where friction still exists,” Garrant said.

A key sentiment highlighting an area of improvement within capability delivery was a demand signal for improved communication and coordination with capability users to enhance speed, requirements, and partnership—an area Garrant noted already has targeted action to address through the System Delta (SYD) integration with their counterparts across the service like the USSF’s Combat Forces Command’s Mission Deltas (MDs).

“By putting people side-by-side through our new SYD and MD structure, we expect to see continued improvements in understanding what our capability users need, which will ultimately increase speed, communication, and partnership,” Garrant said.

Another key sentiment from industry highlighted areas of improvement in translating the efforts of workshops and industry days into tangible outcomes, as well as improved communication on awareness of capability needs and future mission plans.

“We have opportunities to improve these areas through the Space Force Front Door, increased two-way engagements, and increased education on SYD and MD structures,” Garrant said. “We are leaning in, and we have plans to make continued improvements throughout this year.”

Garrant’s keynote also highlighted stakeholder feedback showcasing a number of successes, among which included:
  • Assured Access to Space (AATS) and its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program continue to deliver, including in its support to new providers.
  • Operational Test and Training Infrastructure’s (OTTI) acquisition of new and needed capabilities are meeting the demands to support multi-mission and joint exercise training.
  • SSC’s Commercial Space Office’s (COMSO) implementation of initiatives like Orbital Watch and Commercial Augmented Space Reserve (CASR) Wargames have been key to the USSF’s Commercial Strategy.
  • Battle Management Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence (BMC3I) portfolio’s expansion of opportunities and partnerships through programs like the SDA TAP Lab accelerate innovation with commercial, academic, and international partners.
Garrant further emphasized the need for organizations to seek improvement and take accountability.

“Our grading scale is tough by design, because our warfighters and our Nation require nothing but the best,” Garrant shared. “These results are a means for us to understand where we are, strategize how we can get better, and define the path forward.”

As part of SSC’s improvements, he asserted specific focuses for the year ahead.

“We assessed the gap [between the data and sentiments], and it clarified where we need to focus, which was instrumental in shaping our 2026 commitments,” Garrant stated.
The 2026 SSC Commitments include:
  • Improve  partnership and transparency across all stakeholders.
  • Develop and implement a deliberate planning process to report and improve readiness of our Guardians.
  • Implement acquisition reform initiatives as guidance is released, adding milestones as identified or needed.
“These commitments are informed by how we’ve evaluated ourselves, specifically targeting areas where we must continue to grow to ensure our position as a lead space acquisition arm is postured to meet the demands of the Joint Force, our Nation, and its allies and partners,” Garrant said.

In addition to the commitments, Garrant shared the launch of an updated version of the SSC Command Plan to reflect refined priorities and “a clearer path forward.”
Notable changes to the command plan include:
  • Expanded language on the workforce, “SSC Warfighters,” as a stakeholder.
  • Consolidation of the previous plan’s tenets to focus on the primary strategic imperative: “Deliver lethal, combat-credible, ready, and resilient military space capabilities.”
  • Updated language to the Lines of Effort (LOEs) noting the implementation of the System Delta structure in the modernization of command structure, expansion of its approach to workforce development to highlight the aspects of equipping the “SSC Warfighters,” and a clear reaffirmation of the important role that accountability plays in creating credibility.
“Our Command will be challenged more than ever over the next two years, so we must train harder, deliver faster, operate with more tenacity, and field military space capability more effectively than ever before,” Garrant said. “As the space domain continues to evolve, we must continue to outpace our adversaries through our partnerships. Together, we can ensure that our Nation remains the dominant force in the final frontier.”

View the updated SSC Command Plan.

 

 

United States Space Force

Official United States Space Force Website