SPA’s Maritime Plaza Collaboration Space Opens to Support SLCM-N Collaboration
- Alexandria, VA | February 3, 2026
On January 12, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) officially opened the Maritime Plaza Collaboration Space in Washington, D.C. The space was developed to support the Navy’s nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM-N) team and culminated more than a year of planning and coordination among SPA, the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), and other SLCM-N industry partners.
The milestone was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 15, bringing together senior government and industry leaders and the engineers, analysts, and program staff who will work in the space each day. Attendees included SSP Director Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe, Jr.; SSP Deputy Director, Regional Strike Systems Rear Adm. Michael Richman; SPA Chief Executive Officer Rich Sawchak; and SPA President Terry Benedict.
Rear Adm. Richman opened the ceremony by highlighting the pace and performance of the SLCM-N program. He noted the team had recently completed an off-site to align priorities, focus areas, and objectives across the program. That alignment, he said, has been essential to maintaining momentum and keeping the team focused on shared outcomes.
He also emphasized the value of co-location. While the Collaboration Space will support program execution, it also creates space for informal interaction, from impromptu technical discussions to conversations over coffee or lunch. Those daily interactions help build trust and cohesion, which remain critical for a fast-moving program.
Rear Adm. Richman pointed to the program’s early success and acceleration efforts as evidence of what the team can achieve when aligned. Moving into a shared workspace, he said, will further support that level of performance as the program advances.
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“This space reflects what we have built together, bringing government and industry together with the technology and collaboration needed to support the warfighter and national security.”
– SPA CEO Rich Sawchak
Designed to support real-time collaboration, modeling, and analytics, the new suite gives teams the tools and environment needed to work through complex challenges quickly and effectively. Sawchak noted that the space also allows for continued growth and technology upgrades, supporting programs such as SLCM-N, as missions evolve.
Vice Adm. Wolfe closed the speaking portion of the event with a message focused on unity and shared responsibility. He emphasized that no single organization can deliver a program of this scale on its own.
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“None of us are successful as individual organizations. We have to work this together, government and industry, as one team.”
– Director of Strategic Systems Programs VADM Johnny Wolfe Jr.
He noted that the team has been successful in advancing the program with a sense of urgency while operating in a distributed environment. In a co-located workspace, he said, the opportunities for speed, integration, and impact are even greater. He encouraged the team to continue operating as a single, unified enterprise in support of national security.
Following the remarks, Vice Adm. Wolfe cut the ribbon, officially opening the Maritime Plaza Collaboration Space for the SLCM-N team.
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“We are not just opening a new space; we are laying the foundation for the next 50 years of partnership and mission success.”
– SPA CEO Rich Sawchak
The Collaboration Space now serves as a hub for coordination, innovation, and execution, positioning the SLCM-N team to move faster, work more closely, and deliver the capabilities the nation requires.
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