W ith the advent of easily accessible and user friendly artificial intelligence (AI) technolo- gies such as large language models (LLMs), future human/computer teaming can prove critical in maintaining the technological edge of the United States Space Force (USSF) in the increasingly contested domain of cyber and space. Despite initial challenges, development of AI-driven workflows significantly im- proved efficiency and planning outputs within the Space Systems Command (SSC).
The domain of space has become increasingly critical to national secu- rity. Maintaining space superiority requires not only advanced technol- ogy but also the ability to acquire, integrate, and deploy these systems with unprecedented speed and effi- ciency. SSC, as the acquisition arm of the USSF, shoulders the responsibility of equipping the nation for this chal- lenge. To address this, a fundamental shift in how the USSF approaches ac- quisition is required to deal with a rap- idly evolving technological landscape, expanding mission requirements, and constant pressure to deliver cutting- edge capabilities within tight budget and time constraints. Traditional acquisition processes, often burdened by manual tasks, bureaucratic hurdles, and informa- tion silos, struggle to keep pace with the demands of the current environ- ment. The sheer volume of data, the intricate interdependencies of space systems, and the need for rapid deci- sion-making necessitate a more agile and innovative approach. AI offers the
potential to automate routine tasks, analyze vast datasets, enhance col- laboration, and ultimately accelerate delivery of critical space capabilities. Among the various AI tools ex- plored within the warfighting sec- tor, NIPRGPT (Non-Classified In- ternet Protocol Router Generative Pre-trained Transformer), a language model capability developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, has emerged as a promising solution for streamlining planning and operational processes. One particular experience highlights the power of AI to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Discovering NIPRGPT’s Power Prior to my own “aha” pivotal ex- perience, and because of a variety of factors, I didn’t fully recognize the po- tential of AI tools like NIPRGPT when I first started using them. Overwhelmed by the daily deluge of tasks and lack- ing any guidance or practical experi- ence, I felt that exploring AI seemed an unaffordable luxury and another
[A] fundamental shift in how the USSF approaches acquisition is required to deal with a rapidly evolving technological landscape, expanding mission requirements, and constant pressure to deliver cutting-edge capabilities within tight budget and time constraints.
November-December 2025 | DEFENSE ACQUISITION | 19
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