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.

New Space Force ‘combat squadrons’ to allow tailored deployment, alleviate ‘exhaustion’: Officials

New Space Force ‘combat squadrons’ to allow tailored deployment, alleviate ‘exhaustion’: Officials
New Space Force ‘combat squadrons’ to allow tailored deployment, alleviate ‘exhaustion’: Officials

The combat squadron arrangement aligns the Space Force with how the Air Force, Army and Navy present and deploy forces to combatant commands, such as Indo-Pacific and European Command, said Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess, head of Space Forces-Space.

EXCLUSIVE: New Joint Force space doctrine clarifies Space Command’s ‘offensive’, ‘defensive’ ops

EXCLUSIVE: New Joint Force space doctrine clarifies Space Command’s ‘offensive’, ‘defensive’ ops
EXCLUSIVE: New Joint Force space doctrine clarifies Space Command’s ‘offensive’, ‘defensive’ ops

The new version of Joint Publication 3-14 explains that “offensive and defensive space operations” are supported primarily by “direct capabilities” — that is, “fires that impact an adversary.”

Berger: ‘Time to look’ at changing combatant command structure

Berger: ‘Time to look’ at changing combatant command structure
Berger: ‘Time to look’ at changing combatant command structure

“There comes a point where there’s so many combatant commanders and so many service chiefs that I wonder at what point does the secretary of defense have a span of control where… getting to a decision and getting the right perspectives on the table becomes really difficult,” the Marine Corps leader said.

Space Force opens INDOPACOM component, process questions remain

Space Force opens INDOPACOM component, process questions remain
Space Force opens INDOPACOM component, process questions remain

The new Space Forces – Indo-Pacific component command is headed by Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, and comprises 21 Guardians embedded at US Indo-Pacific Command.

24 hours from ‘go’: Next Space Force ‘responsive launch’ experiment aims to loft satellite in a hurry

24 hours from ‘go’: Next Space Force ‘responsive launch’ experiment aims to loft satellite in a hurry
24 hours from ‘go’: Next Space Force ‘responsive launch’ experiment aims to loft satellite in a hurry

“We have spent a lot of time admiring the problem of how to be responsive in space,” SSC head Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein said. “We are done admiring the problem and we are getting after the combatant commands’ need to truly protect and defend the peaceful use of space.”

Space Force, Pentagon still hashing out service’s presence in theater commands

Space Force, Pentagon still hashing out service’s presence in theater commands
Space Force, Pentagon still hashing out service’s presence in theater commands

With an eye on China, the plan is to start in the Indo-Pacific, Lt. Gen. Chance Saltzman, deputy chief of space operations, cyber and nuclear, told the Defense Writers Group.

A new $200M fund could help COCOMs with AI adoption

A new $200M fund could help COCOMs with AI adoption
A new $200M fund could help COCOMs with AI adoption

The funding aligns with the Defense Department’s AI efforts, notably the AI and Data Acceleration initiative announced last year by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

JAIC developing first-of-its-kind ‘integration layer’ for AI algorithms

JAIC developing first-of-its-kind ‘integration layer’ for AI algorithms
JAIC developing first-of-its-kind ‘integration layer’ for AI algorithms

“So if you don’t have an integration layer like that, then you have to go find all of the data sources yourself… This is something we don’t have yet in the department,” Lt. Gen. Michael Groen told Breaking Defense.

Exclusive: SPACECOM reorganizing amidst theater component command debate

Exclusive: SPACECOM reorganizing amidst theater component command debate
Exclusive: SPACECOM reorganizing amidst theater component command debate

It remains to be seen if the creation of a new Joint Force Space Component Command will help or hurt the chain of command for military space.

Pentagon’s R&D Czar ‘Looking For Money’ for 32 New Tech Projects

Pentagon’s R&D Czar ‘Looking For Money’ for 32 New Tech Projects
Pentagon’s R&D Czar ‘Looking For Money’ for 32 New Tech Projects

Heidi Shyu, the Pentagon’s top R&D official, is seeking funding in FY22 to start a new round of experiments in FY23.

Hicks Will Send AI/Data Experts To Combatant Commanders

Hicks Will Send AI/Data Experts To Combatant Commanders
Hicks Will Send AI/Data Experts To Combatant Commanders

Two types of expert teams will help the 11 Combatant Commands make better use of data for decision-making, the deputy Defense Secretary said.

USG Should Beware Exaggerated Threat To GPS: RAND

USG Should Beware Exaggerated Threat To GPS: RAND
USG Should Beware Exaggerated Threat To GPS: RAND

“The risks are real but are not quite as bad as some have claimed in some of the hypothetical ‘day without space’ scenarios,” says Secure World Foundation’s Brian Weeden.