Mission Solutions: Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs' aerospace and defense sector is poised to be the global leader in defense development, space technology, and innovation. As a major contractor in the area, Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions delivers innovative solutions for U.S. Government and commercial customers, driving added value while enabling its clients' most critical missions.
Colorado Springs, situated at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, is a vibrant city known for its stunning natural beauty, outdoor activities, and strong military and aerospace presence. The city is poised to be the global leader in defense development, space technology, and innovation.
According to the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Colorado has the largest private aerospace economy per capita in the United States (U.S.), with more than 240,000 workers in the state’s aerospace industry. In Colorado Springs alone, more than 250 companies provide advanced technologies in national defense, global positioning systems, cybersecurity, and satellite communications. The city's strategic location and vital military installations make it a crucial hub for national defense, including the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, Schriever Space Force Base, and Fort Carson, which are pivotal in defense, training, and operations. It’s also home to U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM), and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which are vital entities ensuring the defense of North America.
Its geographical location provides strategic advantages for national security operations, training, and innovation due to its proximity to other key military installations, transportation access, and relatively central location within the United States.
As a major contractor in Colorado Springs, Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions delivers innovative operations and maintenance (O&M) solutions for an expanding portfolio of U.S. government and commercial customers, driving added value while enabling its clients' most critical missions.
Protecting our nation's most critical assets
-
Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Built to handle the dynamic and evolving needs of missile defense, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) supports research and development, system-level test and evaluation, and operational training for U.S. Combatant Commands. The agency is responsible for developing, testing, and fielding a layered Missile Defense System (MDS) to protect the U.S. and its allies against evolving and complex missile threats.
Jacobs delivers integrated product and service solutions supporting concurrent MDA tests, training, and operations on the Integrated Research and Development for Enterprise Solutions (IRES) contract. Beyond the enterprise support to MDA, Jacobs delivers innovative operations, maintenance, and sustainment solutions, as well as IT, cybersecurity, and telecommunication solutions for the Agency’s enterprise communications and information technology environment to help secure and protect our nation.
IRES provides 24/7 support to the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center (MDIOC) on Schriever Space Force Base – a key Missile Defense System (MDS) component – and other locations such as the Von Braun Complex on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and Washington D.C.
-
U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
Playing a critical role in Colorado Springs, USNORTHCOM and NORAD jointly developed space mapping, surveillance, and early threat detection and mitigation strategies for North America. This work is performed primarily at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex and Peterson Space Force Base.
Since 2020, Jacobs, through the Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) and Space Support Contract II (NISSC II), has provided:
- Operations, maintenance, and sustainment of current and legacy systems for the surveillance and cataloging of manmade objects in space.
- Mitigation of orbital conflicts.
- Threat warnings and control from airborne, land-based, and space-based systems for threat activities.
- Operations and maintenance of classified communications.
- Software development and integration.
This early warning detection system allows for timely responses to potential threats. This work directly supports USSPACECOM, USNORTHCOM, and NORAD and provides critical information to various Commands to direct and control the air defense systems in North America, ensuring airspace protection.
Our people
-
Nathan Feher
Nathan Feher is the General Manager of Jacobs' NORAD Operations Group (JNOG) and Program Manager of the NISSC II contract. The contract, known as the Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) and Space Support Contract II (NISSC II), is a $455 million contract supporting the Operations, Maintenance, and Sustainment (OM&S) of critical mission systems for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
-
Greg Sharp
Greg Sharp is General Manager of Jacobs Missile Defense Group (JMDG) and Program Manager for the Integrated Research & Development Enterprise Solutions (IRES) contract. IRES is a $4.6 billion, eight-year contract that supports concurrent testing, training, and operations conducted by the Missile Defense Agency with engineering, test planning and execution, information technology, and facility operations and maintenance.
-
Kenneth Anderle
Kenneth Anderle is the Deputy General Manager for the Jacobs NORAD Operations Group (JNOG) and Deputy Program Manager of the NISSC II contract. The contract, known as the Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) and Space Support Contract II (NISSC II), is a $455 million contract supporting the Operations, Maintenance, and Sustainment (OM&S) of critical mission systems for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
-
Mark Henrie
Mark Henrie is Deputy General Manager of Jacobs Missile Defense Group and Deputy Program Manager for the Integrated Research & Development Enterprise Solutions (IRES) contract. IRES is a $4.6 billion, eight-year contract that supports concurrent testing, training, and operations conducted by the Missile Defense Agency with engineering, test planning and execution, information technology, and facility operations and maintenance.
Did you know?
-
$ 7 B
aerospace & defense economic impact annually
-
5
military installations in Colorado Springs
-
9
of the nation’s top aerospace contractors and some of the world’s best universities for aerospace engineering are in Colorado
-
50 K+
local veteran population
-
70 K+
military labor force provides a highly skilled workforce pipeline supporting sector companies
You might be interested in...
-
News
Leading the Charge in Delivering Critical Capability to the Missile Defense Agency
Jacobs built the Missile Defense Enterprise Ground System used during the successful Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) launch. Read more about the significant accomplishment that’s advancing national defense capability.
-
News
Jacobs Supports Successful Execution of MDA's Milestone Flight Test
Jacobs supports another successful flight test of the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System, demonstrating the capability to detect, track and intercept a medium range ballistic missile during its terminal phase of flight. Learn about the milestone in this article.
-
News
Boldly Moving Forward: Partnering with NORAD and the U.S. Space Force to Transform the Digital Mission Landscape
Interested in learning about how Jacobs helped NORAD and the U.S. Space Force integrate DevSecOps into the digital mission? Read more below and check out our Data Solutions accelerator.
-
News
Jacobs Selected by US Air Force for Operations, Maintenance and Sustainment of Critical Mission Systems
Jacobs was selected by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Strategic Warning & Surveillance Systems Division for Operations, Maintenance and Sustainment (OM&S) of critical mission systems for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Cheyenne Mountain Complex (NCMC). The contract, known as the Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) and Space Support Contract II (NISSC II) went into effect June 25, 2020, and has a maximum value to Jacobs of $455M over a six-year period of performance.
-
News
Jacobs Awarded US Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency Contract
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has been awarded the Integrated Research & Development for Enterprise Solutions (IRES) follow-on contract for the Missile Defense Agency, a research, development and acquisition agency within the Department of Defense. Jacobs will provide integrated solutions to support concurrent test, training and operations within the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center (MDIOC) mission platform and the execution of the Missile Defense Agency’s enterprise communications and information technology environment. The maximum value of this indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract is $4.6 billion over the duration of the five-year base contract and three award- term years. The primary work sites are located in Alabama, Colorado, and Virginia.
Hear from our team
-
News
Advancing Hypersonic Satellite Defense: A Q&A with Wayne Rezzonico
Meet Wayne Rezzonico, the Jacobs Missile Defense Group’s recipient of the Quarterly Award for outstanding leadership and contributions to mission-critical projects. Senior leadership recognized Wayne, our Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Ground System Manager, for exemplifying Jacobs values while providing significant and lasting contributions to the MDA mission.
-
News
Fostering Inclusion and Innovation: A Q&A with Taylor Kerr
Team Leader for Software Asset Management Taylor Kerr shares how they ensure everyone on the team feels important, valued and respected.
-
News
A Journey of Learning and Growth Together: A Q&A with Nikita Sutton
Earned Value Financial Analyst Nikita Sutton shares her journey utilizing the Skillbridge program to transition from the military to a career with Jacobs. Follow her career journey in this Q&A.
-
News
Shaping Team Culture Through Effective Communication: A Q&A with Clay Thompson
After joining Jacobs through the Hiring Our Heroes Fellowship Program, Clay Thompson, a program analyst at Jacobs, shares his experience with the program and the significant impact his role within Jacobs has on shaping financial communication.
-
News
Understanding the Value of Culture: A Q&A with James ‘Woody’ Woodhead
Jacobs Release Manager James ‘Woody’ Woodhead shares the value of company culture and collaboration in this Q&A.
-
News
Constant Growth and Team Collaboration: A Q&A with Elaine Hanson
Jacobs Program Control Manager Elaine Hanson talks about effective team collaboration, her career advice and more in this Q&A.