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U.S. Will Not Let China, Russia Deny Its Space Superiority, DOD Officials Say

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Space systems underpin virtually every weapon system in the Defense Department's arsenal, a senior DOD official told Congress.

We can no longer assume that our space superiority is a given. ... If deterrence fails, we must be ready to fight for space superiority."
Space Force Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, chief of space operations

But many systems were designed for an era when there were few threats in space, Dr. James H. Anderson, performing the duties of deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, said today at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee's strategic forces subcommittee. This is not the case today, he added, as China and Russia both seek to be able to deny the United States and its allies the advantages of space.

China and Russia are developing sophisticated on-orbit capabilities and an array of counter-space weapons capable of targeting nearly every class of U.S. space asset, Anderson told the House panel. They are expanding their space capabilities, he said, and have created military space forces that they are training and equipping to prevail in future crises and conflicts.

Uniformed man points at earth on wall-mounted computer screen.
Virtual Ops
Spanish air force space surveillance operators command a virtual space operations center at Lockheed Martin’s Center for Innovation in Suffolk, Va., during Global Sentinel 19 exercise, Sept. 26, 2019. The event provided an opportunity to develop and implement processes for partners from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States to collaborate on space surveillance and spaceflight safety to broaden mutual understanding and enhance cooperation.
Credit: Air Force Staff Sgt. J.T. Armstrong
VIRIN: 190926-F-CG053-2093C

The United States is responding by "transforming its space enterprise, fielding resilient architectures, developing space warfighting expertise and working closely with allies in combined operations," he said.

The fiscal year 2021 defense budget request provides $18 billion for space programs, including $111 million to support stand-up of the U.S. Space Force, Anderson said. It also provides funding for the new space combatant command — U.S. Space Command — and the Space Development Agency, which will accelerate the development and fielding of military space capabilities necessary to ensure U.S. and allied technological and military advantages.

A rocket launches from launch pad.
Falcon 9 Starlink
The Falcon 9 Starlink rocket lifts off of Pad 40 at, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Jan., 29, 2020
Credit: Air Force Airman 1st Class Zoe Thacker
VIRIN: 200129-F-AO460-1022C

In his written testimony, Anderson said the United States is actively pursuing opportunities with allies and partners to build combined space operations and interoperable, or even integrated, architecture. The flagship of this integration is the Combined Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, with embedded British, Canadian and Australian exchange personnel working side by side with U.S. personnel.

"We have recently added Germany and France to the Combined Space Operations initiative," he noted.

Space Force Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, chief of space operations, also testified.

Air Force general  signs poster.
Space Ops
Space Force Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, chief of space operations, signs the U.S. Space Command sign in the Perimeter Acquisition Radar building at Cavalier Air Force Station, N.D., Jan. 10, 2020.
Credit: Air Force Senior Airman Melody Howley
VIRIN: 200110-F-VG991-1367

"We can no longer assume that our space superiority is a given," he said. "If deterrence fails, we must be ready to fight for space superiority."

U.S. Space Command, along with the Space Force will deter aggression from conflict and do so from a position of strength, the general said. "Accordingly," he added, "we will remain ready to defend U.S. and allied freedom of action in space. We will deliver space combat power for the joint and coalition force and we're going to develop joint warfighters to serve in, to and from the space domain."

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