The newly designated portfolios cover infrastructure; battle management, command, control, communications and space intelligence (BMC3I); satellite communications and positioning, navigation and timing (SATCOM/PNT); and missile warning and tracking.
These roles build on an initial tranche announced in January 2026, which included space access and space-based sensing and targeting. All portfolio acquisition executives (PAE) will report to the secretary of the Air Force via the Space Service Acquisition Executive, centralising oversight of critical capability development.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said the changes are aimed at ensuring the US maintains a technological edge.
“To win over the long term, we must innovate faster than our adversaries,” Meink said. “These additional PAEs will help achieve that by putting the right people in place, resourcing them appropriately and empowering them to deliver mission-ready capability to operators more quickly.”
The portfolio model is designed to prioritise rapid delivery of combat-effective systems within clearly defined mission sets.
Under the expanded framework:
- Space access will focus on delivering national security, civil and commercial capabilities into orbit.
- Space-based sensing and targeting will provide persistent awareness of the battlespace from orbit.
- Infrastructure will cover data management, training and test systems, and personnel capabilities.
- BMC3I will integrate data, networks, command and control, intelligence and space domain awareness to detect and respond to threats.
- SATCOM and PNT will deliver resilient military and commercial communications alongside integrated navigation and timing services.
Missile warning and tracking will develop a layered, resilient space-based architecture to detect and monitor missile threats.
Thomas Ainsworth, currently performing the duties of assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, said the reforms would sharpen focus and accountability across the enterprise.
“By clearly defining priorities and empowering leaders, the Space Force is positioning itself to outpace competitors and secure US interests in, from and to space,” Ainsworth said.
The move forms part of a broader push to streamline defence acquisition processes and deliver advanced capabilities to the warfighter at greater speed, as strategic competition in space intensifies.