Under the new approach, there must be a technical rationale for stamping a space program as special access, not simply because of a service policy decision, said DoD space policy czar John Plumb.
By Theresa HitchensSSC Director of International Affairs Deanna Ryals told Breaking Defense that the primary goal of the first-ever “international reverse industry days” meeting is survey the landscape of needed allied space capabilities, and figure out where countries can help fill each other’s gaps.
By Theresa HitchensAir Marshall Harvey Smyth, UK Air and Space Commander, suggested that one way to move forward might be to find a mutually desired “capability set” and pursue it under a joint program along the lines of the F-35.
By Theresa HitchensThe Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Wing on Aug. 10-11 hosted the annual Vulcan Guard space exercise, that this year included personnel from US Space Command, the Brazilian military and all seven National Guard states conducting space operations.
By Theresa HitchensSatellite communications has become a priority for US Space Command as part of its space “assurance mission” for NATO allies and international partners in the Ukraine war, says the command’s head, Gen. Jim Dickinson.
By Theresa HitchensChina’s growing number of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites are “designed to find, fix, track and target US forces and allied forces. They’re designed to help kill sailors, airmen, soldiers, and Marines,” said Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, head of the Space Force’s Indo-Pacific component command.
By Theresa HitchensSPACECOM is providing “spaceflight safety data to 680 global organizations flying 7400 spacecraft,” SPACECOM head Gen. Jim Dickinson said. “We also track an additional 41,000 pieces of debris.”
By Theresa Hitchens“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance of a persistent space surveillance capability,” said the United Kingdom, as European nations (and Canada) band together.
By Theresa HitchensJohn Plumb, DoD assistant secretary for space policy, suggested overuse of SAPs is hindering information sharing across programs and, more importantly, to allies.
By Theresa HitchensTotal US arms transfers for fiscal 2022 topped $50 billion, up nearly 50 percent from prior year.
By Lee Ferran“A capable and resilient weapon system will be operationally ineffective if its personnel, expertise, tactical employment, and sustainment are insufficient for the mission,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman says in his first commander’s note on fielding combat-ready space forces.
By Theresa HitchensLearning from Russia’s failures in Ukraine, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said a key focus going forward is “making sure that not only do we have the systems to do the mission, but that our operators have the training the experience, and we have validated tactics that actually enable those capabilities.”
By Theresa HitchensJohn Plumb noted that his office now is working directly with the IC “on reducing some of those classification issues to the point where we can share” information with allies and partners to enable collaborative operations.
By Theresa Hitchens