Director of Strategy and Strategic Communications , CORE-CSI/ Leader-Commander-Strategist -Air National Guard
A few observations and questions.... First, I'm a supporter of the SDA's missile warning and tracking system mentioned in this article. I've written articles and editorials supporting it. However, I supported it based on it being part of a multi-orbit system, not just proliferated LEO. The reports in the media of cuts to both MEO and GEO systems are concerning to me. While single digit years for updates and replenishment is a leap forward from 20 year development and acquisition timelines, it's not fast enough during a "rapid and destructive" space campaign that China has been preparing for for years. Second, on the topic of Chinese space attack forces and the idea that proliferated LEO is somehow more resilient and capable of enduring attacks fails to consider recent developments in Chinese thinking on these architectures. Starlink, a similar system currently operating in orbit is seen as a threat by China. They've already been looking at ways to "kill" (their word) such systems with a systems destruction concept of operations. What are we doing to prepare for an attack conops that no longer views the target as individual satellites but the entire system as a single target? Third, notice that the words used to describe the big change for the future are "integrate" and "support combatant commands". While combat support is an important part of these systems design, there was nothing mentioned on how we are going to deter, defend or win a war in space that could very well begin with the targeting of systems such as SDA's or Starlink? Space Operations Command, as the main field command for space operations must begin deployment of the offensive and defensive weapons capable of ensuring space strategic interests are protected and not relying on "absorbing the blows," National Institute for Deterrence Studies https://lnkd.in/eC3KrA3P
