Space Force needs more money, people to secure cislunar space: Mitchell Institute

Space Force needs more money, people to secure cislunar space: Mitchell Institute
Space Force needs more money, people to secure cislunar space: Mitchell Institute

The Mitchell Institute is advocating that from now on Congress bolster the Space Force’s budget by “about $250M a year” and “increase end strength by approximately 200 personnel for the new responsibilities associated with emerging national interests on the moon and the cislunar region.”

The nuclear 3 body problem: STRATCOM ‘furiously’ rewriting deterrence theory in tripolar world

The nuclear 3 body problem: STRATCOM ‘furiously’ rewriting deterrence theory in tripolar world
The nuclear 3 body problem: STRATCOM ‘furiously’ rewriting deterrence theory in tripolar world

In the near term, STRATCOM Commander Adm. Charles Richard said that missile warning is his top priority, and expressed concern over China’s FOBS test.

DIA sees ‘dramatic’ change in space competition; China, Russia ‘mature’ capabilities

DIA sees ‘dramatic’ change in space competition; China, Russia ‘mature’ capabilities
DIA sees ‘dramatic’ change in space competition; China, Russia ‘mature’ capabilities

The bottom line, according to DIA is that space “is being increasingly militarized” around the globe, and the threats to US military and commercial space activities continue to grow, from ground-based ASAT tests, to ISR fleets, to deep space hiding places.

Pentagon needs to prioritize hypersonic defense, not offense: CSIS

Pentagon needs to prioritize hypersonic defense, not offense: CSIS
Pentagon needs to prioritize hypersonic defense, not offense: CSIS

“You really need to worry about the tactical things. You really need to defend your surface ships, air bases, all that stuff,” NDIA’s Mark Lewis said.

In new agreement US, Japan team up on counter-hypersonic research

In new agreement US, Japan team up on counter-hypersonic research
In new agreement US, Japan team up on counter-hypersonic research

The agreement was announced just a day after a North Korean missile test and months after the eye-opening Chinese test of a fractional orbital bombardment system.

Popular in defense: Breaking Defense’s most read stories in 2021

Popular in defense: Breaking Defense’s most read stories in 2021
Popular in defense: Breaking Defense’s most read stories in 2021

From Chinese fighter jets to secret space weapons, here’s what was most read for Breaking Defense in 2021.

It’s a FOBS, Space Force’s Saltzman confirms amid Chinese weapons test confusion

It’s a FOBS, Space Force’s Saltzman confirms amid Chinese weapons test confusion
It’s a FOBS, Space Force’s Saltzman confirms amid Chinese weapons test confusion

China’s recent test of a FOBS/HGV hybrid is “a very forward-edge technology capability,” said Space Force’s Lt. Gen. Chance (Salty) Saltzman.

‘Almost a melding’ of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC’s Kurt Campbell

‘Almost a melding’ of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC’s Kurt Campbell
‘Almost a melding’ of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC’s Kurt Campbell

The context for President Biden’s almost four-hour discussion Monday night with President Xi Jinpeng, Kurt Campbell said, is “that the United States is here to stay in the Indo-Pacific, and we’re going to defend and support the operating system that has been so good for so many of us for many years.”

Chinese orbital bombardment? Don’t panic!

Chinese orbital bombardment? Don’t panic!
Chinese orbital bombardment? Don’t panic!

Around this time last month the defense world was sent a tizzy by a reported Chinese hypersonic orbital weapons test. While many questions remain unanswered, Bleddyn Bowen and Cameron Hunter of the University of Leicester have some advice: calm down. The following is an abridged and updated summary of a report published by the Asia-Pacific…

‘One of the largest shifts in global geostrategic power:’ Milley on China’s rise

‘One of the largest shifts in global geostrategic power:’ Milley on China’s rise
‘One of the largest shifts in global geostrategic power:’ Milley on China’s rise

New Pentagon report highlights China’s growing nuclear arsenal, but stresses a broader danger: miscalculation by Beijing or Washington.

‘Hundreds’ Of China Hypersonic Tests Vs. 9 US; Hyten Says US Moves Too Slowly

‘Hundreds’ Of China Hypersonic Tests Vs. 9 US; Hyten Says US Moves Too Slowly
‘Hundreds’ Of China Hypersonic Tests Vs. 9 US; Hyten Says US Moves Too Slowly

Gen. Hyten said he’s “probably” going to approve “today or tomorrow a new requirement for Integrated Air and Missile Defense,” which is a pillar of the Joint Warfighting Concept (JWC).

Hypersonic Space Test Fuels Sino-American Arms Race

Hypersonic Space Test Fuels Sino-American Arms Race
Hypersonic Space Test Fuels Sino-American Arms Race

“We need to recognize that we can no longer operate in the somewhat static ‘spy vs spy’ conditions of the Cold War and that we are dealing with a technologically advanced and ever-adapting adversary who has both the know-how and funding to continually push us on every front,” former Pentagon official Doug Loverro said.

China ‘Not An Olympian Power’: Presumptive China Ambassador ‘Confident’ In US

China ‘Not An Olympian Power’: Presumptive China Ambassador ‘Confident’ In US
China ‘Not An Olympian Power’: Presumptive China Ambassador ‘Confident’ In US

Top Senate Foreign Relations Republican sounds alarm after “China’s test […] of a Fractional Orbital Bombardment system,” saying it would “allow the PRC to completely circumvent US early warning capabilities and increase the vulnerability of the continental US to a nuclear attack.”

After China’s ‘Hypersonic’ Test, US Alarm And Many Unanswered Questions

After China’s ‘Hypersonic’ Test, US Alarm And Many Unanswered Questions
After China’s ‘Hypersonic’ Test, US Alarm And Many Unanswered Questions

The reported Chinese system was hinted at by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall in an earlier speech, a source said, but Kendall now says his words were just a coincidence.