Space Supply Chain

1
Space Supply Chain and Industrial
Base Challenges
Dave Davis Chief, Systems Engineering
Division SMC/EAE 310 653-1427 david.davis_at_losangel
es.af.mil
2
Agenda

• Space Industrial Base Perspective
• Recurring Challenges
• Specs Standards
• Summary

3
Space Industrial Base Responsiveness
On-Going Near Term
Mid Term Far Term
Now Next 3-5 yrs
Next 5-7 Yrs 10 Yrs
Current Product/Technology Availability
Advanced Technology Needs
4
SMC Industrial Base Scope
Diminishing Sources
Product Technology
5
Recurring Themes

• People / Demographics / Critical Skills
• Available engineering skills base (with security
  clearances) problematic
• Technical or Technological
• Domestic industry cannot provide products with
  sufficient capability
• Industry IRAD Govt ST
• Research investment is not sufficient to support
  continuing industrial base
• Environmental / Safety Regulations
• Regulations add cost and infrastructure to
  domestic industrial base
• Other Govt Policies, Processes, Culture
• US or foreign govt. policies reduce
  competitiveness of domestic IB
• Advanced Technology/Product Transition
• High reliability performance requirements
  demonstrated by product testing puts significant
  financial burden on sub-tier suppliers

• Low Volume / Low Margin
• Product volume or profit margin is insufficient
  to sustain robust industrial base
• ITAR Restrictions
• ITARs inhibit development of domestic commercial
  sources for military applications, prevent
  optimization of foreign products
• Foreign Competition
• Viability of domestic suppliers is threatened by
  foreign competition
• No Domestic Materials Source
• Domestic industry is dependent on foreign source
  of materials

6
Specifications StandardsEnsuring Consistency

• Establish a common set of preferred
  specifications and standards
• Ensure sound technical practices applied on NSS
  programs and facilitate industrial supply base
  consistent with requirements
• Ensure NSS community takes a consistent approach
  in the application of specs standards
• Extensive Collaboration Across National Security
  Space and other Govt space acquisition agencies
• SMC NSSO NRO Navy NASA MDA NOAA
• Space Industrial Base Council
• SS Working Group
• SMC/NRO Collaboration
• Identify and implement areas where a common SMC /
  NRO approach provides benefit
• Industry Collaboration
• AFSO 21 Initiatives (NGST Boeing)

7
Summary

• Managing our space supply chain critical for
  continued success
• Establish and maintain partnerships with our
  contractors and suppliers