DoD ‘completely rewrites’ classification policy for secret space programs

DoD ‘completely rewrites’ classification policy for secret space programs
DoD ‘completely rewrites’ classification policy for secret space programs

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.

Space Force launches effort to harness allied supply chain

Space Force launches effort to harness allied supply chain
Space Force launches effort to harness allied supply chain

SSC 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.

US, allies struggle to find ‘collaborative’ space development projects

US, allies struggle to find ‘collaborative’ space development projects
US, allies struggle to find ‘collaborative’ space development projects

Air 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.

Top Guard space officer fears readiness loss as Space and Air Force processes diverge

Top Guard space officer fears readiness loss as Space and Air Force processes diverge
Top Guard space officer fears readiness loss as Space and Air Force processes diverge

The 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.

Space Force wants key allies to join 24/7 GPS ops center

Space Force wants key allies to join 24/7 GPS ops center
Space Force wants key allies to join 24/7 GPS ops center

In a rare tour of the GPS ops floor, Lt. Col. Robert Wray, commander of the Space Force’s 2nd Operations Squadron responsible for GPS operations, described the mission and why timing, more than anything, is critical.

SPACECOM sets key requirements for space, including ‘combat power’

SPACECOM sets key requirements for space, including ‘combat power’
SPACECOM sets key requirements for space, including ‘combat power’

Satellite 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.

Space Force’s INDOPACOM unit to embed allies to help deter China

Space Force’s INDOPACOM unit to embed allies to help deter China
Space Force’s INDOPACOM unit to embed allies to help deter China

China’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.

SPACECOM expands allied, industy cooperation: Gen. Dickinson

SPACECOM expands allied, industy cooperation: Gen. Dickinson
SPACECOM expands allied, industy cooperation: Gen. Dickinson

SPACECOM  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.”

Spurred by Ukraine war, 18 Western countries plan to share remote sensing data

Spurred by Ukraine war, 18 Western countries plan to share remote sensing data
Spurred by Ukraine war, 18 Western countries plan to share remote sensing data

“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.

‘Out of control’: DoD reviews use of super-secret SAP classification, for space programs and beyond

‘Out of control’: DoD reviews use of super-secret SAP classification, for space programs and beyond
‘Out of control’: DoD reviews use of super-secret SAP classification, for space programs and beyond

John Plumb, DoD assistant secretary for space policy, suggested overuse of SAPs is hindering information sharing across programs and, more importantly, to allies.

For US, foreign arm sales boom amid Russian invasion, Chinese intimidation

For US, foreign arm sales boom amid Russian invasion, Chinese intimidation
For US, foreign arm sales boom amid Russian invasion, Chinese intimidation

Total US arms transfers for fiscal 2022 topped $50 billion, up nearly 50 percent from prior year.

Space Force chief sets ‘lines of effort’ for service success

Space Force chief sets ‘lines of effort’ for service success
Space Force chief sets ‘lines of effort’ for service success

“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.

Ukraine spotlights ‘criticality’ of space in conflict : Saltzman

Ukraine spotlights ‘criticality’ of space in conflict : Saltzman
Ukraine spotlights ‘criticality’ of space in conflict : Saltzman

Learning 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.”

‘Huge, huge problem’: DoD space policy chief says over-classification harming allied advantage

‘Huge, huge problem’: DoD space policy chief says over-classification harming allied advantage
‘Huge, huge problem’: DoD space policy chief says over-classification harming allied advantage

John 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.