ACQ Workforce - Space & Missile Systems

The ACQ Workforce - Space & Missile Systems program element (PE 1206392SF) is a key component of the Department of the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically supporting the Space Force through Budget Activity 6: RDT&E Management Support. The primary objective of this program is to fund the civilian acquisition workforce within Space Systems Command (SSC), which is responsible for equipping U.S. and allied forces with operational space and missile systems, launch systems, and command and control infrastructure. This workforce plays a critical role in supporting global military and national security operations by providing navigation, communication, weather, warning, force application, and space control capabilities.

The program's main goal is to ensure that SSC maintains a highly skilled and adequately resourced civilian acquisition workforce. This includes approximately 1,611 authorized civilian acquisition professionals who oversee the full lifecycle of acquisition programs, from materiel solution analysis and technology development to engineering, manufacturing, production, deployment, and ongoing operations and support. Funding enables SSC to manage and execute acquisition programs efficiently, enhancing system resiliency and situational awareness necessary to operate in the contested space domain.

A significant aspect of the program is its alignment with the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). By funding civilian payroll from the RDT&E appropriation, SSC program managers are provided with greater flexibility to hire government civilian personnel rather than relying on contractors. This supports broader Department of Defense initiatives aimed at strengthening the acquisition workforce and improving program management effectiveness. The program also responds to workforce optimization directives, such as Executive Order 14210, which seeks to enhance government efficiency and optimize personnel resources.

Civilian pay is the sole budget line item under this program element. Funding covers civilian pay expenses, including end-strength, premium pay, performance awards, and projected hires. The budget incorporates adjustments for civilian pay raises, database corrections, and the realignment of funding and manpower transferred from the United States Army's Satellite Operations Mission. Additionally, there is a transfer of personnel and resources to SSC to support United States Space Force (USSF) acquisition workforce realignment objectives.

The program supports both pay and non-pay requirements for the acquisition workforce, including activities such as program office support, studies, technical analysis, and prototyping. These efforts are essential for maintaining the technical and managerial capabilities required to sustain and modernize SSC's acquisition programs. The civilian workforce is instrumental in implementing system resiliency and situational awareness measures, which are increasingly important given the evolving threats and challenges in the space domain.

Budget adjustments for FY 2026 reflect a reduction in civilian personnel funding, in compliance with workforce optimization initiatives. This reduction is offset by increases related to civilian compensation cost adjustments and the transfer of personnel to support acquisition workforce realignment. Congressional directed reductions in prior years were due to under execution, while increases are primarily attributed to changes in pay raise assumptions and realignment of resources.