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.”

DoD space protection strategy: resilience, defense, and offense by another name

DoD space protection strategy: resilience, defense, and offense by another name
DoD space protection strategy: resilience, defense, and offense by another name

The unclassified strategy communicates “our commitment to protect the Joint Force from adversary hostile uses of space,” said DoD Space Policy czar John Plumb.

Space Force reframes mission to ‘secure’ US interests ‘in, from and to’ space

Space Force reframes mission to ‘secure’ US interests ‘in, from and to’ space
Space Force reframes mission to ‘secure’ US interests ‘in, from and to’ space

“The phrase in, from, and to space is a direct reference to the core functions of the Space Force. Guardians secure our Nation’s interests in space through space superiority activities that protect the Joint Force and the Nation from space and counterspace threats,” wrote Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman in a memo obtained by Breaking Defense.

Norms plus counterspace weapons: RAND recommends holistic strategy to deter space attack

Norms plus counterspace weapons: RAND recommends holistic strategy to deter space attack
Norms plus counterspace weapons: RAND recommends holistic strategy to deter space attack

“The prospects for complete success in deterrence of hostile attacks on space assets, particularly reversible, nondestructive attacks, are limited,” the RAND study cautions.

Enhancing ‘lethality’: First Space Force ‘operations’ doctrine cements role within Joint Force

Enhancing ‘lethality’: First Space Force ‘operations’ doctrine cements role within Joint Force
Enhancing ‘lethality’: First Space Force ‘operations’ doctrine cements role within Joint Force

Space Doctrine Publication 3.0, crafted by STARCOM, provides baseline definitions for offensive, defensive, and “mobility and logistics” ops.

Space Force chief seeks to ‘shift mindset’ to defend Joint Force on the ground

Space Force chief seeks to ‘shift mindset’ to defend Joint Force on the ground
Space Force chief seeks to ‘shift mindset’ to defend Joint Force on the ground

“While important, a narrow focus on protecting space capabilities disregards how U.S. strategic competitors are preparing to use their own space capabilities to find, target, and attack forces operating in the terrestrial domains,” Gen. Chance Saltzman wrote in an internal Commander’s Note obtained by Breaking Defense.

‘Stop debating’ over space weapons and prepare for conflict: Space Force general

‘Stop debating’ over space weapons and prepare for conflict: Space Force general
‘Stop debating’ over space weapons and prepare for conflict: Space Force general

America’s space operators need to “get to the point of how do we responsibly… deter conflict that nobody wants to see, but if we do see it, demonstrate our ability to win?” said Maj. Gen. David Miller.

Classified, ‘substantial’ new military space capability should be online by 2026: Space Force chief

Classified, ‘substantial’ new military space capability should be online by 2026: Space Force chief
Classified, ‘substantial’ new military space capability should be online by 2026: Space Force chief

“I expect that by the end of my tenure, if I make it all the way to [2026], that you’re going to see a substantial on-orbit capability that allows us to compete in full-spectrum operations,” Space Force chief Gen. Chance Saltzman said today.

Space Force’s FY24 budget includes ‘offensive’ options for space. What does that mean?

Space Force’s FY24 budget includes ‘offensive’ options for space. What does that mean?
Space Force’s FY24 budget includes ‘offensive’ options for space. What does that mean?

“There are hard kill and soft kill capabilities, if you will, that we’re funding,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said with regards to offensive space capabilities, but none that would created dangerous space debris.

‘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.

EXCLUSIVE: US Strategic Space Review signed out, but no unclassified version is coming

EXCLUSIVE: US Strategic Space Review signed out, but no unclassified version is coming
EXCLUSIVE: US Strategic Space Review signed out, but no unclassified version is coming

“If we want deterrence to be effective, it takes three things: 1. Capabilities 2. Credible threats in the mind of the adversary and 3. The will to communicate the first two,” Chris Stone, Mitchell Institute fellow, told Breaking Defense.

Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman

Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman
Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman

The Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Gen. Chance Saltzman as the next, and second, Space Force chief was free of major fireworks — suggesting an easy ‘yea’ vote.

To protect and maybe defend: NRO, SPACECOM ponder commercial satellite defense options

To protect and maybe defend: NRO, SPACECOM ponder commercial satellite defense options
To protect and maybe defend: NRO, SPACECOM ponder commercial satellite defense options

Kaitlyn Johnson, of the Aerospace Security Project, welcomed the SPACECOM-NRO conversation, noting that it is “a big deal,” especially since “Russia has conducted electronic and cyber counterspace attacks already” in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

New ‘strategic space review’ to shape Space Force offensive-defensive capabilities mix

New ‘strategic space review’ to shape Space Force offensive-defensive capabilities mix
New ‘strategic space review’ to shape Space Force offensive-defensive capabilities mix

The review, to set out Space Force’s “playing field,” was tasked to the Defense Department and the IC by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, said Lt. Gen. Bill Liquori, Space Force head of strategy and plans.