Space Force Necessary to Deal With Russian, Chinese Threats in Space Domain

Space Force critical to national security, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John E. Hyten said during an online event

By DOD News Release - January 25, 2021

AEHF-6, the final satellite of the AEHF program. AEHF was preceded by Milstar, formerly known as the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay, the last of which entered into operational service over 17 years ago. The joint AEHF and Milstar constellation provides secure, global, and jam-resistant communications for military ground, sea, and air assets one of a constellation of space assets that must be maintained and protected. Defense Contract Management Agency photo

By David Vergun, DOD News

Threats by Russia and China to deny U.S. access and capability in space make the Space Force critical to national security, said the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, spoke at an online National Security Space Association “Space Time” event today.

Critical space assets include GPS; missile warning; reconnaissance; and position, navigation and timing.

“We accelerate because our adversaries are accelerating.”

“Russia and China are building capabilities to challenge us in space because if they can challenge us in space, they understand as dependent as we are in space capabilities that they can challenge us as a nation,” Hyten said.

“Therefore, it is our responsibility as leaders of the defense enterprise to make sure that we continue to educate the population about the threats that we face and, then, put forth recommendations to deal with those threats in a rapid, responsive way,” he said.

In a time of conflict, DOD must deny adversaries access to space while maintaining its own freedom to maneuver in that domain, he mentioned.

Tech. Sergeant Abe Ocano, right, and Staff Sergeant Darwin Anderson, left, 147th Combat Communications Squadron radio frequency technicians, establish a connection with a satellite using a GATR antenna at a remote location during Red Flag 20-1 near Caliente, Nevada, Jan. 20, 2020. The GATR antenna is a highly mobile, deployable device that provides secure and unsecured network connection and communication while in the field. The unit from San Diego Air National Guard Station, California provided direct support for multi-national joust operations during the exercise. U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Courtney

Russia and China are both building antisatellite weapons and other military space assets at an alarmingly fast rate, he noted.

As a result, the department has to go fast in defining joint requirements and delivering capable systems to counter the threat, he said. “We accelerate because our adversaries are accelerating.”

In going fast, you have to accept a certain amount of risk, he added.

Besides moving fast, Hyten said space systems programs need to have agility and adaptability built into them.

He noted there’s bipartisan support for the Space Force, and he expects the newest service, along with Space Command, to continue to make great strides in the new administration.