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System Delta 88 Wins DoW’s Highest Acquisition Award

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  • By SSC Public Affairs
Space System Command’s System Delta (SYD) 88 received the U.S. Department of War’s highest acquisition team award for delivering game-changing space-based Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) capability to the United States president, Joint Force, and U.S. Allies a full two years ahead of schedule.

SYD 88 was commended for successfully leading the largest source selection in Space Force history where SYD team members balanced national security space strategy and joint warfighter requirements across a $24 billion portfolio. The team was also recognized for aligning the Space Force with a $34 billion DoW nuclear triad upgrade. The team expertly navigated the competing interests of multiple industry titans and unified a diverse government team resulting in a historic $1B in savings.

Michael P. Duffey, undersecretary of war for acquisition and sustainment, presented the 2025 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award to SYD 88 on March 19, 2026 at the Warfighting Acquisition University in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in recognition of the team’s intrepid acquisition initiative, which energized the most prolific space-based NC3 architecture pivot in DoW history, and assured access to the first-ever resilient NC3 proliferated space architecture.

SYD 88 was one of five teams to be honored in this category. Praising the awardees, Mr. Duffey said, “The achievements we celebrate today are not abstract or theoretical. Your work has translated directly into fielded capability, faster timelines, stronger partnerships with industry and real advantages for the warfighter.”

“I am humbled that the hard work and commitment of our ‘Great 88’ team was recognized with this prestigious team award,” said Col. A.J. Ashby, commander of SYD 88. “The innovation, technical acumen, and teamwork of this Delta and the warfighting focus of the men and women who serve here is phenomenal.  It’s amazing what can happen when the power of the team is unleashed.  I look forward to seeing what our team can do in the future.”

The award covers the period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

 

 

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