Space & Missile Systems Center - MHA

The Space & Missile Systems Center - Major Headquarters Activities (MHA) program is a key element within the Department of the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically under Program Element 1206398SF. This program supports the 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. The primary objective of this line item is to fund the civilian acquisition workforce that underpins SSC's headquarters activities, ensuring the command can effectively manage its portfolio of space and missile programs.

A central goal of the Space & Missile Systems Center - MHA line item is to improve the overall performance and efficiency of SSC's business operations. The program aims to strengthen management practices, achieve cost savings, and allow for the reallocation of resources to higher-priority needs within the Space Force. By supporting acquisition professionals, the program ensures that SSC has the necessary expertise to oversee complex acquisition processes, conduct technical analyses, and manage system resiliency initiatives in the contested space domain.

The budget for this program element is allocated primarily to SSC Civilian Pay, which covers the salaries and related expenses for the professional government civilian acquisition workforce. This funding supports a range of activities, including staff support, studies, technical analysis, and prototyping efforts that are essential for maintaining and advancing SSC's mission capabilities.

Within the context of RDT&E Management Support (Budget Activity 6), the Space & Missile Systems Center - MHA program is justified by its role in sustaining and modernizing the installations and operations required for general research, development, test, and evaluation activities. The program does not directly fund procurement or the development of specific weapon systems; instead, it provides the management and administrative backbone necessary for the successful execution of SSC's broader RDT&E portfolio.

The program's objectives also include implementing system resiliency and enhancing situational awareness for operations in the increasingly contested space environment. By maintaining a highly skilled civilian workforce, SSC can better address emerging threats, support joint warfighters with advanced navigation, communication, weather, and warning capabilities, and ensure the continued effectiveness of U.S. space operations.

Adjustments to the program's funding in recent years have been driven by congressional actions and internal Department of the Air Force realignments. These adjustments reflect the evolving requirements for personnel support as the Space Force and SSC adapt to new operational challenges and priorities.