Overview
- The Department of the Air Force on Jan. 8 launched the first tranche of mission-focused portfolios to implement Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s acquisition reforms.
- Five Air Force portfolios now have designated leaders: Maj. Gen. Luke Cropsey for C3BM, Col. Timothy Helfrich for fighters and advanced aircraft, Scott Hardiman for NC3, John Sneden for propulsion, and Brig. Gen. Robert Lyons III for weapons.
- The Space Force established mission portfolios for space access and space-based sensing and targeting, with portfolio leaders to be named later.
- Oversight of the largest Air Force programs sits with Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager Gen. Dale White, and PAEs will report to him for efforts under his purview and otherwise to the service acquisition executive.
- Service leaders describe a warfighting-focused, commercial-first approach with “speed with discipline,” and the Air Force is moving to delegate enabling authorities to PAEs while broader powers to reallocate funds and adjust requirements await action in FY2026 appropriations talks.