Space Force Officials Say IMD Prototypes Already Showing Benefits

The U.S. Space Force’s two Integration Mission Delta prototypes are showing benefits early on, two service officials said.

According to Col. Carl Bottolfson, director of futures and integration at the Space Force, the IMD concept allowed the Space Force to better understand how things work. Col. Marc Brock, director of combat power at the Space Operations Command and the lead official for setting up the IMDs, said the Space Force has seen enhanced collaboration between sustainers, thanks to the two prototype organizations.

Brock also said Space Force guardians have improved communications between IMD operators and acquirers regarding sustainment efforts, SIGNAL Magazine reported.

Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations at the Space Force and a 2023 Wash100 awardee, announced the IMDs in September. During the announcement, Saltzman said the first IMD is responsible for space electronic warfare and position, navigation and timing satellites while the second is for space electronic warfare.

Saltzman said the IMDs were designed to ensure that the United States would meet global demand for space services.

The complementary units for the two IMDs were introduced in December to maximize operations.