A strategic shift from putting capabilities in orbit to building the architectures to defend space-based systems and assets against enemy attacks, the US Space Force ( USSF ) is preparing for future wars of attrition in outer space.
According to USSF Chief of Space Operations General Bradley Saltzman, who was quoted by National Defense Magazine this month as” secure our nation’s passions in, from, and to place ,” the expanded vision statement of the United States, which was released in September, represents a substantial change for the company. & nbsp,
We weren’t considering engaging in combat churn. In the report, Saltzman referred to China as the USSF’s” pacing issue” and said,” We now need to switch to an infrastructure that will have to contend with a foe that is determined to deny us those abilities.”
He asserted that the USFF must then respond to China in place by defending US space-based resources while denying the” really exquisite” remove website that China has launched into orbit and is capable of using. Saltzman expressed worries about the speed with which China has put together its space-based” risk variety” and the variety of techniques that make up the arsenal. & nbsp,
He takes note of directed energy weapons, anti-satellite missiles, and regularity blocking capacities in particular. Saltzman expressed his” really proud” of the USFF’s move toward” more resilient architectures” at the same time, mentioning Tranche 0 of its low Earth orbit( LEO ) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, which was launched this year by the Space Development Agency. & nbsp,
Tranche O was described by Saltzman as” the tech guide to reduce software set levels and healthy the systems” and” create assemblage lines to put hundreds of satellites on orbit to do both data transport and missile warning.” In terms of process, timeframes, and functionality, he claimed the technology was a” large change.” “& nbsp,
According to a report from the National Defense Magazine, the Ukraine conflict has shown that LEO stars like Starlink are resistant to attack in armed conflict situations. According to the report, the USSF concentrates on creating tactically responsive space and makes significant investments in no-fail missions like missile warning nuclear command and control ( C2 ). & nbsp,
However, according to the report, the issue is how to utilize LEO stars for the USSF’s upcoming objective. It mentions that the Victus Nox mission, conducted by the & nbsp, demonstrated the USSF’s ability to launch a satellite within 24 hours of receiving the mission order.
A space war involving attrition would certainly have significant corporate, political, and military ramifications, though it is difficult to imagine how it would develop and perform out. & nbsp,
Henry Sokolsky notes that a space conflict between the US and China would likely involve & nbsp, hunter-killer satellites, and dual-use commercial capabilities, as well as ground-based electronic jammers and cyber weapons, in addition to lasers and non-spacecraft. This would be done in order to deactivate spacecraft without generating space debris. & nbsp,
In an August 2021 report, the US Congressional Research Service ( CRS) stated that China has tested and proven counter-space capabilities that pose a threat to US and allied partners’ satellites and national security.
The USSF is investigating the possibility of contrition in place, but it is faced with difficulties in terms of doctrine, business, personnel training, financing, and facilities for developing the capabilities required to wage such a space war. & nbsp,
In June 2020, the USSF released doctrine & nbsp, which outlined the fundamentals of US space power. According to the statement, the US wants a space domain that is peaceful, safe, secure, and accessible, allowing for freedom of action in other warfighting domains and enhancing global security. & nbsp,
Additionally, it states that US area forces work closely with allies, partners, and the US to work, protect, or defend space power. According to the theory, place operations must be coordinated and consider across all segments because they are global and multi-domain. It also emphasizes how important dexterity, technology, and boldness are to the USSF, which supports small teams and prioritizes risk-taking opportunities for quick learning and adaptation.
But, Peter Hays notes that USSF theory is neither offensive nor proper nor separate in his book War and Peace in Outer Space published in 2021. Hays points out that despite the various operating characteristics of the air and space domains, the USSF perhaps be forcibly integrating space doctrine into air doctrine. & nbsp,
Although some concepts in the air or marine domains directly relate to the space domain, Hayes notes that the USSF must address basic questions about its operational characteristics. & nbsp,
Additionally, he suggests that the USSF adopt minimal or coastal perspectives on naval warfare rather than a global one because the former two more closely resemble the traits of present LEO space operations. & nbsp,
Consolidating the US’s disjointed area organizations and stakeholders is another problem for USSF. In a report released in July 2016 by the US Government Accountability Office( GAO ) & nbsp, it is noted that there were 60 stakeholders involved in the acquisition of US space programs at the time. This finding has made it difficult to acquire, develop, and deploy new space systems. & nbsp,
The USSF is currently preparing implementation plans to harmonize disparate acquisition and sustainment authorities for space systems currently dispersed across the National Reconnaissance Office( NRO ), the Missile Defense Agency ( MDA ), US Army, US Navy, and several Office of the Secretary of Defense elements, according to & nbsp’s August 2023 Comprehensive Strategy for the Space Force.
Regarding staff and education issues, Michael Spirtas and other authors note in the 2020 RAND report andnbsp that the USSF will probably need to appoint around half of its general officers from other companies for the foreseeable future. & nbsp,
Spirtas and others add that it would be difficult to have USSF personnel devote their entire careers that given the organization’s smaller size. They claim that while many career fields may be natural for the USSF, many will be filled by US Air Force employees on task. & nbsp,
The USSF’s administrative personality and operational readiness may be impacted by this, as well as the various organizational cultures among the other military service branches and the varying levels of space-based expertise among personnel. & nbsp,
Significant cash difficulties even exist for the USSF. & nbsp, Megan Wenrich and other authors claim that since October 2022, the USSF has relied on” continuing resolutions ,” which keep money flowing at 2021 levels without making any provisions for new programs. & nbsp,
As tensions with China and Russia rise, Wenrich and others issue a warning that such short-term budget cuts was jeopardize USSF plans and endanger US national security. & nbsp,
The USSF has requested a$ 30 billion budget for fiscal year 2024, which is about$ 3.9 billion more than what was approved for the service in fiscal 2023, with 60 % of that budget set aside for research, development, testing, and evaluation, according to The & nbsp, US Department of Defense ( DOD ).
Terrestrial facilities like launch, C2, continuity of operations( COOP ) sites, and radar stations are essential for space operations, according to the USSF Space Doctrine Note – Operations & nbsp from January 2022. It does, however, mention a number of threats to terrestrial facilities, including targeted energy attacks, cyberattacks, electromagnetic pulses ( EMP ), and traditional physical attacks. & nbsp,
Establishing the necessary infrastructure and defenses to support and secure these missions will be a significant challenge for the USSF, according to Tyler Bates & nbsp in an article published in November 2022 for Aether nBSP. These missions include in-space logistics, space to terrestrial energy distribution, cislunar space operations, and global point-to-point rocket logistics by the 2030s.