The United States Space Force is set to enhance its digital training capabilities with the development of the Space Warfighter Operational Readiness Domain (SWORD) program, aiming to finalize requirements by 2026. According to Col. Corey Klopstein, head of the Program Executive Office for Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (PEO OTTI), this initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive training environment that will be accessible at the unit level across the Space Force.
Over the next 10 to 12 months, Klopstein’s focus will be on expanding the SWORD program, which currently serves as a “distributed” digital training platform. Designed to prepare guardians for the complexities of space warfare, SWORD has already been successfully utilized by the 392nd Combat Training Squadron during the recent Space Flag exercise, where 380 guardians trained effectively on the platform. Klopstein expressed his vision for SWORD to evolve into a “right synthetic environment” that meets the needs of the entire Space Force enterprise.
Enhancing Training Capabilities
Klopstein emphasized the importance of elevating SWORD to a higher fidelity and accuracy level. Plans include integrating additional system types and making the platform cloud-based, with the goal of achieving special access program (SAP) status to accommodate classified systems. He stated, “We want to make it accessible from wherever our units are,” underlining the need for a training environment that reflects real-world conditions.
To facilitate this expansion, the program’s planning involved establishing an acquisitional framework, which included creating a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) and awarding an Other Transaction Authority (OTA). These acquisition methods enable the Space Force to leverage the commercial market, allowing for quicker delivery of essential capabilities.
While Klopstein refrained from disclosing the winner of the recent OTA award, he noted that it involves a prime contractor alongside multiple subcontractors. The SWORD program has also been designated as a Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) initiative, which streamlines the procurement of software solutions to meet Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. This designation aligns with recent calls from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for an overhaul of acquisition processes, emphasizing the need to work with commercial vendors.
Building a Realistic Training Environment
Klopstein articulated the necessity of developing a training environment that offers the most realistic conditions possible for guardians. He noted that the operational test training infrastructure is designed to provide a robust arena for effective training and systems testing. “We’re bringing on different vendors to enhance the fidelity of the capabilities we have within SWORD, ensuring that we’re meeting the needs of the space operator,” he said.
As the Space Force prepares to move forward with the requirements process, Klopstein reiterated the program’s mission: to maintain space superiority and adapt to the evolving challenges within the space domain. The commitment to enhancing SWORD reflects a strategic focus on ensuring that guardians are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of modern space operations.
