The United States is continuing its push to accelerate the development and fielding of next-generation space capabilities, with Dr Erich “HB” Hernandez-Baquero formally sworn in as the second assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration.
Hernandez-Baquero assumed the role following his confirmation by the US Senate on 7 August, becoming the Department of the Air Force’s senior acquisition executive responsible for space programs at a time when the strategic importance of the domain continues to grow.
His appointment comes as the United States Space Force and the broader Department of the Air Force seek to adapt their acquisition systems to an increasingly competitive and contested space environment.
Prior to taking up the position, Hernandez-Baquero served as vice president for space intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at RTX following a career in the US Air Force that included senior leadership positions within the National Reconnaissance Office.
That combination of military, intelligence and industry experience is expected to shape his approach to one of the Pentagon’s most important and challenging acquisition portfolios.
US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said Hernandez-Baquero’s background made him well suited to lead the department’s efforts to rapidly deliver the capabilities required by the US Space Force and the wider joint force.
“The space domain is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and we must rapidly field resilient, cutting-edge capabilities to stay ahead of the pacing challenge,” Secretary Meink said.
For Hernandez-Baquero, the task ahead will centre on translating the growing urgency surrounding space into practical reforms across the acquisition enterprise.
His priorities include implementing acquisition reforms, improving the delivery of integrated capabilities to warfighters and revitalising the workforce responsible for developing and procuring the systems upon which the United States increasingly depends.
The appointment reflects a broader shift in the way Washington views space. Once largely regarded as an enabling domain supporting terrestrial military operations, space is now increasingly recognised as a critical theatre of strategic competition in its own right.
Modern military operations depend heavily upon satellite-based communications, positioning, navigation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. At the same time, potential adversaries are investing heavily in the ability to disrupt, degrade or deny those capabilities during a crisis or conflict.
For the United States, maintaining an advantage will therefore depend not only upon developing increasingly sophisticated technologies but also on reforming the processes through which those capabilities are designed, acquired and brought into service.
Hernandez-Baquero now assumes responsibility for helping drive that transformation, with a mandate to deliver more resilient and integrated space capabilities at greater speed.
As strategic competition increasingly extends beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, the effectiveness of the US space acquisition enterprise may prove just as important as the technologies it ultimately delivers.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Space Connect a preferred news source on Google.