Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel

Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel
Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel

More than a dozen sources tell Breaking Defense that tensions between the NGA and Space Force are rising on commercial ISR, with White House officials watching closely.

‘Tactical ISR’ from space requires DoD, NRO policy changes: Calvelli

‘Tactical ISR’ from space requires DoD, NRO policy changes: Calvelli
‘Tactical ISR’ from space requires DoD, NRO policy changes: Calvelli

“We are clearly moving away from airborne ISR assets and moving into space. It’s the absolute right thing to do from a resiliency and sustainability perspective,” Air Force space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli said.

Space Force’s Saltzman hopes to launch new Futures Command centers ‘late this year’

Space Force’s Saltzman hopes to launch new Futures Command centers ‘late this year’
Space Force’s Saltzman hopes to launch new Futures Command centers ‘late this year’

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said the new Futures Command will not just be looking at what new capabilities the Space Force should build, own and operate, but also at how commercial tech, systems and services can fill some needs. 

‘Urgent need’: Army ‘Space Vision’ calls for new investment in kit, personnel

‘Urgent need’: Army ‘Space Vision’ calls for new investment in kit, personnel
‘Urgent need’: Army ‘Space Vision’ calls for new investment in kit, personnel

As well as leveraging space systems for its own operations, the Army intends to invest in capabilities to counter enemy space systems, the new vision document explains.

‘Take down’: Space Force targeting unit develops strike options for Joint Force

‘Take down’: Space Force targeting unit develops strike options for Joint Force
‘Take down’: Space Force targeting unit develops strike options for Joint Force

The Space Force’s 75th ISR Squadron is looking at not just how to take out enemy satellites on orbit, but also the other dimensions of space systems including ground facilities and the command and control data links in between, explained Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt. 

Turning 4, the Space Force’s favorite word is ‘more’: 2024 Preview

Turning 4, the Space Force’s favorite word is ‘more’: 2024 Preview
Turning 4, the Space Force’s favorite word is ‘more’: 2024 Preview

“And so I think, as you see new missions come on, you can presume that that means more Guardians to perform those missions, and we’ll have to adjust the strength going up,” said CSO Gen. Chance Saltzman.

Everything, everywhere, all at once: 5 space stories from 2023

Everything, everywhere, all at once: 5 space stories from 2023
Everything, everywhere, all at once: 5 space stories from 2023

There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on in space, from Geneva to Washington to Colorado Springs to Los Angeles.

To deter China, Space Force acquisition command focusing on networks, AI/ML and ‘dynamic’ ops

To deter China, Space Force acquisition command focusing on networks, AI/ML and ‘dynamic’ ops
To deter China, Space Force acquisition command focusing on networks, AI/ML and ‘dynamic’ ops

“I don’t care what it takes to get after the threat. That’s really the cultural change that we’re embarking upon,” SSC head Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein told the Space Force Association’s inaugural Spacepower conference.

‘Central to everything we do’: Army unveils first-ever doctrine for ‘information’

‘Central to everything we do’: Army unveils first-ever doctrine for ‘information’
‘Central to everything we do’: Army unveils first-ever doctrine for ‘information’

“We no longer regard information as a separate consideration or the sole purview of technical specialists,” the new ADP 3-13 says. “Instead, we view information as a resource that is integrated into operations” — from cyberwar to psyops, reconnaissance to deterrence, social media to camouflage.

ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges

ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges
ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges

Disputes over spectrum use by mega-constellations in low Earth orbit, such as SpaceX’s Starlink, also carry heavy political baggage at the 2023 World Radio Conference that starts tomorrow in Dubai.

Getting to MARS: Defense Intelligence Agency AI-assisted database to begin ops in spring

Getting to MARS: Defense Intelligence Agency AI-assisted database to begin ops in spring
Getting to MARS: Defense Intelligence Agency AI-assisted database to begin ops in spring

MARS is replacing the 1980s-era database, called the Military Intelligence Integrated Database, used by DIA for its primary mission of providing foundational military intelligence to warfighters and national security decision-makers.

With new intel doctrine, Army turning its sights to ISR modernization

With new intel doctrine, Army turning its sights to ISR modernization
With new intel doctrine, Army turning its sights to ISR modernization

One of the questions the Army’s ISR Task Force is grappling with regard to sensing is how best to “leverage the vast proliferation of commercial satellite providers,” said task force director Andrew Evans.

NRO plans 10-fold increase in imagery, signals intel output

NRO plans 10-fold increase in imagery, signals intel output
NRO plans 10-fold increase in imagery, signals intel output

While the NRO has never revealed exactly how many satellites it operates, historically its imaging and signals intelligence constellations have been made up of handfuls of very large birds.

Space Force intel focus: 50% on China; 25% on Russia

Space Force intel focus: 50% on China; 25% on Russia
Space Force intel focus: 50% on China; 25% on Russia

China’s “space weaponry” arsenal “includes missiles that launch from the Earth that go up and destroy satellites, it includes lasers, it includes jammers, it includes a whole magazine of diversity for that,” a top Space Force officer said.