Tom Ainsworth Says USSF’s New Acquisition Portfolio Structure Is Close to Activation
Tom Ainsworth, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, said the Department of the Air Force is continuing to refine the Space Force’s new Portfolio Acquisition Executive structure as officials work to complete one of the service’s most significant acquisition reforms.
Ainsworth’s comments come ahead of his appearance (pending confirmation) as a keynote speaker at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 at the Hilton McLean in Virginia, where government and industry leaders will discuss emerging priorities across military aviation and space operations. Save your spot so you can be in the room for Ainsworth’s exclusive comments!
What Did Ainsworth Say About the New PAE Structure?
Speaking at the State of the Space Industrial Base conference in New Mexico, Ainsworth said officials are still determining how some programs will be aligned within the new mission-focused portfolio structure.
“We’re not done yet. We’re still working it,” Ainsworth said, according to Breaking Defense.
The restructuring effort stems from the Department of War’s acquisition transformation initiative and is intended to streamline oversight, accelerate decision-making and speed delivery of operational capabilities to warfighters.
According to Ainsworth, the Department of the Air Force plans to publicly announce the finalized organizational structure and portfolio leadership assignments once remaining decisions are completed.
How Will the New Acquisition Framework Operate?
The Space Force has already designated six mission-focused portfolios:
- Space Access
- Space Based Sensing and Targeting
- Infrastructure
- Battle Management
- Command, Control, Communication and Space Intelligence
- Satellite Communication and Positioning, Navigation and Timing
- Missile Warning and Tracking
Speaking at the State of the Space Industrial Base conference, Ainsworth said the Department of the Air Force drew lessons from organizations including the National Reconnaissance Office, Space Development Agency and Space Rapid Capabilities Office when designing the new structure.
Under the model, each PAE will have significant decision-making authority and will oversee a capability trade council that includes representatives from operations, intelligence and testing organizations.
Ainsworth said officials also worked to standardize acquisition processes across portfolios so personnel can move between organizations without having to navigate different procedures and approval structures.
“We’re looking at the best of those capabilities,” Ainsworth said of the organizations that helped inform the framework.
What Other Space Force Priorities Has Ainsworth Highlighted?
In addition to acquisition reform, Ainsworth has recently discussed the Space Force’s growing interest in cislunar operations as government and commercial activity expands beyond geosynchronous orbit.
Speaking at the McAleese Defense Programs Conference in March, Ainsworth said the service is developing plans to integrate cislunar capabilities into future operations and establish leadership positions focused on the mission area.
“We do need to begin integrating cislunar capability into the Space Force,” Ainsworth said, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine. “We are serious about that.”
He also in recent months addressed the Space Force’s response to the grounding of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, per DefenseScoop, noting that acquisition leaders were evaluating launch options and potential mission redistribution strategies to reduce disruptions to national security space programs.
“As far as how we’re handling this, I’ve given the action to all of the [program acquisition executives] and [program executive officers] to examine what launches we may be able to distribute,” Ainsworth said during a March congressional hearing.
Where Can GovCons Hear From Ainsworth?
Ainsworth is scheduled to participate (pending confirmation) as a keynote speaker at Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from one of the foremost leaders driving Space Force acquisition efforts and to expand your network with USSF and DAF officials.
Confirmed keynote speakers include Matt Anderson, deputy administrator of NASA, and Gen. John Lamontagne, vice chief of staff of the Department of the Air Force.
The event will feature discussions on air and space domain integration, commercial space capabilities, optical networking, artificial intelligence-enabled decision-making and the future of Department of the Air Force network modernization efforts. Register now!
Additional speakers include Dr. GP Sandhoo, director of the Space Development Agency, and Col. Aaron Stevenson, deputy director of the Commercial Space Office within Space Systems Command.
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