The US Space Force, Space Systems Command has a requirement to develop, integrate, and operate the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) ranges.

The USSF will achieve this vision through a System of Systems (SoS) approach, fielding service-retained capabilities within the NSTTC operated by the Range and Aggressors Delta (Delta 11), in response to increasingly sophisticated adversary capabilities and tactics. Key to this vision is the Integrated Program Office (IPO), a first of its kind partnership between Space Test and Training Command (STARCOM), Space Systems Command (SSC), and Headquarters USSF Test and Evaluation (USSF/TE).

The NSTTC IPO manages requirements, funding, and acquisitions authority on behalf of its participating agencies in order to deliver the NSTTC. NSTTC IPO is an effort led by Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) in partnership with Space Systems Command (SSC) and U.S. Space Force Office of Test and Evaluation (USSF/TE). The NSTTC is comprised of an electromagnetic spectrum range (NSTTC-E), cyber range (NSTTC-C), orbital range (NSTTC-O), and digital complex (NSTTC-D).

The NSTTC will provide scalable capabilities including synthetic and live environments and exercise/event support across four subordinate range-complexes corresponding with USSF mission areas. These range-complexes include the Electromagnetic Range, Orbital Range, Cyber Range, and Digital Range.

The vision for the NSTTC has four focus areas: Service Capability, Joint Applicability, Integrated Test, and Threat Replication. These range-complexes and focus areas are further discussed in the STARCOM NSTTC Vision.

• The NSTTC IPO is requesting industry feedback on the acquisition considerations that will shape the contracting strategies for contracts planned under the NSTTC acquisition framework. The acquisition framework is envisioned to include a Multiple-Award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) and a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) to address and acquire the various capability areas required to develop, integrate, and operate the NSTTC ranges. In addition, a Range Operations and Capability Enhancements contract and a supporting Technical Direction Agent (TDA) is also anticipated as part of the overall framework to manage and execute range integration activitiesThe notional IDIQ capability area pools, pool structure, number of pools, and focus areas:
  • System Development
    • Hardware/Software
    • Bus/vehicle
    • Payload/sensors
    • Ground
    • Resource manager
    • Range operations
    • Post ops data analysis
  • Modeling & Simulation
    • High-fidelity models
    • Tools
    • Range operations
    • Optimization
  • Infrastructure
    • Facilities
    • Closed-loop environment operations
      • Cyber
      • FlatSats
      • Electromagnetic
    • Networks