Space Innovation & Development Center
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The Space Innovation & Development Center (SIDC), formerly the Space Warfare Center (SWC), is a military unit of the United States Air Force. It is directly under Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) and resides at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The SIDC includes the AF Space Battlelab (SB)[1], 595th Space Group.
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[edit] Mission
The mission of the Space Warfare Center (SWC) is to advance Air Force, joint and combined space warfare through innovation, testing, tactics development and training.
[edit] Background
In the fall of 1992, an Air Force Blue Ribbon Panel on space recommended establishing a dedicated Space Warfare Center to examine the capabilities of space-based assets versus the actual enhancements gained from them. During Desert Storm, combat operations relied on space support more than in any past conflict. However, an analysis of these operations revealed several shortfalls in the Air Force’s ability to take advantage of capabilities space has to offer.
General Charles Horner, Commander, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) officially dedicated the SWC on December 8, 1993. In 1995, the 17th Test Squadron (17 TS) was established and the 576th Flight Test Squadron (576 FLTS) aligned under SWC. In 2000, the SWC established the 595th Test and Evaluation Group (595 TEG) and 310th Space Group (Air Force Reserve) established the 14th Test Squadron (14 TS) as a sister squadron to the 17 TS. In 2001, the SWC stood up the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron (527 SAS) and the USAF Space Operations School (SOPSC). In 2002, the SWC stood up Detachment 1 at Nellis AFB, NV and Detachment 2 at Langley AFB, VA. Both Detachments are extensions of the SWC and provide air and space integration to the warfighter through a variety of efforts heavily focused on strengthening relationships with government and industry mission partners. In August 2002, the 595th reorganized as the 595th Space Group and took control of the 527th and SOPSC. In November 2002, the 595th established the Space Range Management Office (SRMO). In September 2003, the SWC stood up a fifth division, the Integration Division (SWC/XI). More recently, in October 2003, the 310th Space Group established the 26th Space Aggressor Squadron (26 SAS) as a sister squadron to the 527 SAS.
[edit] Organization
SWC's two-fold mission to support warfighters with space solutions and develop concepts for space superiority is carried out by the following five organizations:
[edit] AF Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (AF TENCAP) (TC)
In 1977 Congress directed the establishment of Air Force TENCAP with three primary missions: exploiting space systems for tactical applications through rapid prototyping projects; influencing the design of future space systems for tactical applications; and educating warfighters about the capabilities and tactical utility of space systems. The SWC serves as the executive agent of AF TENCAP on behalf of warfighters and is teamed with the Space Applications Project Office to develop and provide support to Air Force agencies and the Combat and Mobility Air Forces. AF TENCAP demonstrates leading edge space technologies with potential to enhance combat capabilities of units in the field and transitions these combat systems to warfighters in a timelier manner than through traditional acquisition processes. AF TENCAP is responsible for keeping abreast of the latest technologies and influencing emerging space systems to make them more supportive of fielded combat forces.
[edit] Air Force Space Battlelab (SB)
The mission of the Space Battlelab is to transform space capabilities into solutions for today’s warfighting problems. Through networking with industry, academia, and service laboratories, SB leverages leading edge space technology to enhance Air Force core competencies.
Two flights perform the operations. The Concepts Development Flight ensures the Space Battlelab is focused on the most pressing operational problems and determines the best available solutions. They produce a detailed campaign plan as a guide for the second flight, the Demonstration Flight, to rapidly show the effectiveness of a proposed solution in an operational environment. Drawing on test experts such as Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) and the 595th Space Group, Battlelab project managers use modeling and simulation, wargaming, exercise evaluations and prototype demonstrations to quickly measure military value of promising concepts. The overall effectiveness of a technology is captured in a final report that provides detailed analysis of demonstration results and recommendations for concept transition.
SB processes are optimized to evaluate concepts and promising ideas from military personnel, industry, and citizens.
[edit] Integration Division (XI)
The Integration Division is directly involved in integrating space systems into air and information warfare. The Space Applications & Integration Facility (SPAIF) works to improve command and control processes and operates a facility that emulates functions of a CAOC. This facility is designed to demonstrate space systems and train people on their use. The Aerospace Fusion Section’s mission is to provide real time data fusion systems for targeting, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) warning and enhanced missile defense operations.
Also, XI’s Wargaming Branch promotes the understanding and effective use of space power through modeling, simulation and analysis. A principal focus of the directorate is the planning, execution, and analyzes of the Schriever Wargames. Schriever Wargames are a series of space-focused wargames designed to evaluate space’s contribution to a theater war. They are currently working the next iteration wargame, Schriever IV, scheduled to execute in March 2007.
[edit] Plans, Programs and Requirements (XR)
Plans, Programs and Requirements is the backbone of the SWC, providing overarching support to all other SWC divisions in the following areas: communications and computers, security, acquisition, logistics, policy, planning, programming, financial support, manpower and personnel. XR is the SWC Commander’s authority on reviewing, coordinating and consolidating all SWC inputs to AFSPC/XP’s Modernization Planning Process (MPP) and AFSPC/DR’s associated Requirements Generation System (RGS). As the lead SWC programming and requirements agency, XR integrates SWC views and initiatives into these AFSPCE-level programming systems to solve warfighters’ deficiencies through space capabilities. As SWC’s executive agent for the submitting Program Objective Memorandum inputs, XR develops strategy, policy, doctrine and long-range plans to control and exploit space, and programs and advocates manpower, resources, and organizational development for long-term success of SWC’s mission.
[edit] 595th Space Group
The mission of the 595th Space Group is to enhance, and provide confidence in, Air Force warfighting capabilities through advanced training, education, tactics development and operational testing. 595 SG is composed of the 17th Test Squadron (17 TS), 14th Test Squadron (14 TS) [as a Reserve component], the 576th Flight Test Squadron (576 FLTS), the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, the 26th Space Aggressor Squadron (26 SAS) [as a Reserve component], the Space Range Management Office (SRMO) and the Space Operations School (SOPSC).
[edit] Detachments
The SWC also operates two detachments. SWC Detachment 1 at Nellis AFB NV, is collocated with Red Flag operations conducted by the 414th Combat Training Squadron. Det 1 looks at how best to integrate space into the full-spectrum aerospace range envisioned by Air Combat Command. Detachment 2 at Langley AFB VA, teams with the Aerospace Command & Control Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Center (AC2ISRC) and with the Combined Air Operations Center-Experimental, or CAOC-X. Det 2 helps ensure emerging CAOC capabilities mesh well with and fit the needs of all CAOC users -- while especially considering space capabilities. Recently, Det 2 was also named as AFSPC’s liaison to Joint Forces Command.
