Space Force demands diverse weapons to secure dominance in orbit

In a recent address at the Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium, Chance Saltzman, the chief of space operations for the Space Force, emphasized the urgency of expanding the United States' capabilities in space warfare. This call for action comes amid growing concerns regarding threats to the US fleet of national security satellites, which are vital for a range of operations including surveillance, communication, and navigation. Saltzman's remarks indicate a strategic shift towards offensive capabilities, underscoring the necessity for the Space Force to not only defend but also control the space domain through various means. Saltzman detailed a vision where US forces can employ both kinetic weapons — which physically destroy targets — and non-kinetic weapons like directed-energy lasers and radio frequency jammers. This new doctrine will enable US military operations to support a broader array of strategic options. The threats posed by adversaries, notably China and Russia, in terms of weaponization of space have heightened the urgency of this strategic evolution. Recent advancements by these nations, including Russia's tests of a satellite capable of destroying another spacecraft and China's developments in satellite grappling technologies, have spotlighted the need for the US to strengthen its position in space. He advocated for an arsenal that includes capabilities for denying, disrupting, degrading, and, if necessary, destroying enemy assets. Saltzman acknowledges that the destruction of adversary satellites is likely a last resort but expressed the importance of having that capability readily available. He reiterated that the Space Force's role is to execute space control, which is essential for the United States' overall military strategy. The discussion around these capabilities reflects a maturation of military doctrine concerning space warfare, where vocabulary, concepts, training, and equipment are evolving to meet contemporary challenges. Ensuring that the US Space Force is equipped for orbital warfare raises questions about the ethical implications of using these weapons responsibly, given the importance of the space domain. Saltzman's vision appears to be a step toward a proactive rather than reactive stance regarding threats from adversarial nations in the ever-competitive realm of space.