Systems Engineering Revitalization at Space and Missile Systems Center

Speaker

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Doug Loverro, Executive Director, SMC, Air Force Space Command - LAAFB, CA

Location

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The Aerospace Corporation
2350 E. El Segundo Blvd.
El Segundo, CA 90245

Enter through Gate C from Douglas; badge in through the South Lobby (east of the large building ahead on the left as you enter the gate). We are meeting in A3/Dining Rooms A&B

Directions

Abstract

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As the effort continues to refine and optimize the way we acquire complex space systems, the government is continuing to promote sound systems engineering practices as a key enabler to more effectively manage program risks and ensure mission success.  Space-system developers face an increasing array of systems engineering and systems engineering management challenges.  Current military space systems provide for surveillance of both potential enemies and the meteorological conditions in the operational theater as well as communications and navigation.  New systems are being planned or under development to extend these capabilities.  The cost to build and launch satellites drives the need to exploit them to the greatest extent practical by all land, sea, and air forces.  As a result, many of the space programs are joint programs to provide capability used in joint operations by all DoD forces. The user equipment for such systems can become deployed on a wide range of platforms and therefore rival or exceed the cost of the satellites and launch vehicles.  The systems engineering task of balancing effectiveness and cost can be still more demanding.  A primary example is the Global Positioning System (GPS) that provides navigation data via user equipment carried directly by military personnel and on most of the thousands of land, naval, and air platforms operated by the Department of Defense.

This presentation will explore fundamental systems engineering concepts and techniques and the SMC Systems Engineering Revitalization (SER) initiatives which have influenced many changes as they apply to space, launch, and ground control systems and the SMC environment.  Project officers, junior systems engineers, engineers in other disciplines that must perform Systems Engineering functions, and the experienced engineer will benefit from this discussion.  Additional topics will include recommended systems engineering practices and pitfalls to avoid. *Abstract topic subject to change.

Biography

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Mr. Douglas L. Loverro, a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service, is the Executive Director, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. He is the senior civilian executive and principal assistant to the commander. His responsibilities include Air Force research, design, development and acquisition of space launch, command and control, and satellite systems.