The longtime head of the U.S. Space Force’s rapid acquisition office is leaving to take a senior leadership role at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, according to a June 18 press release.
Kelly Hammett, director of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office since its creation, will depart the organization this summer after helping establish it as one of the Space Force’s acquisition entities. The office is responsible for developing and fielding space capabilities to address urgent military requirements.
Hammett is expected to become deputy commander of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., according to the release by the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. He was appointed this month to replace Joseph Order, who will take over as assistant deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration at Air Force Headquarters.
As executive director, Hammett will advise the center’s commander on acquisition, sustainment and modernization across its portfolio of nuclear weapons systems. The center oversees lifecycle management for systems supporting two legs of the nuclear triad, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, gravity bombs and nuclear command, control and communications systems. It has more than 2,300 military and civilian personnel assigned across 20 locations worldwide.
Hammett arrives after four years leading the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, where he oversaw classified space acquisition programs and served as a principal adviser to senior Air Force and Space Force leaders on rapidly fielding new capabilities. Before joining the Space Force organization, he held several senior acquisition and technology leadership positions at the Air Force Research Laboratory, including director of the Directed Energy Directorate.