Review of the Joint Capability Integration and Development System and the National Security Space Acquisition Process

Space systems are a critical enabler of the net-centric operation warfare (NCOW) needed to achieve victory in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The effective acquisition of affordable systems is vital to our National Security Strategy. Space systems play an important role throughout a wide spectrum of military and civil operations. Several challenging factors unique to space systems development are the high level of technological complexity, a broad joint user base, and the reliance on seamless interoperable systems to achieve superior capabilities for US warfighters. This research examines the interaction between the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) and the National Security Space Acquisition Process (NSSAP) through a qualitative case study and identifies ways to improve this interaction by answering investigative questions and providing recommendations to be tested in future research.