TRAINING FOR A WAR WITHOUT A BATTLEFIELD...
Space warfare is widely understood to be a thing of the future. But how do you train for a war in a domain where you have never fought? To answer that question, the U.S. Space Force is turning to modeling and simulations in order to game out the stresses and understand the difficulties of the decision-making process in space conflict. Military officials emphasize the need to simulate not just kinetic actions but also psychological pressure, cyberattacks, and communication disruptions. But without being able to conduct drills on orbit, USSF is banking on digital exercises to prepare Guardians for real-world operations. (National Defense Magazine, December 4, 2024)
...AS CHINA TARGETS AMERICAN SPACE SUPERIORITY
China's advances in satellite development have been nothing short of meteoric, with the number of deployed PRC satellites skyrocketing from 36 in 2010 to over 1000 total in 2024. Aside from the sheer magnitude of PRC assets now in space, a significant concern is understanding the military and intelligence gathering capabilities of these satellites – which have significant ability to conduct rendezvous, inspection, and potentially even jamming or physical interference operations. According to Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of U.S. Space Force Indo-Pacific, "their specific goals are to be able to track and target US high value assets at the time and place of their choosing... We're seeing all signs pointing to being able to target US aircraft carriers, as well as high value assets in the air like tankers and AWACS [Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft]. This is a strategy to keep the US from intervening, and that's what their space architecture is designed for." China's strategy, officials say, is clear: to degrade U.S. space superiority to prevent American intervention in a future conflict. (Breaking Defense, December 10, 2024)
[EDITORS' NOTE: For a detailed analysis and scenario where China maneuvers a satellite can causes damage to a U.S. satellite read AFPC's Space Policy Initiative After Action Report 1 - Reacting to Major Space Events at or Below Geostationary Orbit.]
AWARENESS ACROSS THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
In modern combat, soldiers operate in a digital battlespace, using electronic signals to communicate, control drones, and coordinate operations. But adversaries do the same, making it critical to map and dominate the electromagnetic spectrum. That's where the Army's new Terrestrial Layer System-Brigade Combat Team Manpack (TLS BCT) comes in. The TLS BCT gives commanders real-time insights into both friendly and adversary electromagnetic activity, helping to detect jamming, locate emitters, survey frequencies, and launch electronic attacks. Already in use by three "Transformation in Contact" brigades, the system will be fielded across all Army brigade combat teams within the next three years. (Army Times, December 12, 2024)
PRECISION RADAR IN DEVELOPMENT
The U.S. Army is turning to the private sector to develop a new radar system capable of guiding hypervelocity weapons to target. The proposed multifunction precision radar (MFPR) must detect and track incoming threats, guide U.S. munitions mid-flight, and potentially support battle damage assessments. Prototypes are expected by the Fall of 2027, with limited operational capability by 2028. MFPR must work seamlessly with Army battle management systems like IBCS and operate effectively in harsh environments and unpredictable weather conditions. The system is meant to be a cost-saving measure, because rather than having U.S. interceptors employ an expensive onboard seeker to track targets, the MFPR will do all the heavy lifting and send the information through encrypted communications links to the weapons. (Military and Aerospace, December 13, 2024)
THE UK'S ANSWER TO DRONE SWARMS
Missile defense is infamously known for its high cost and complicated technological requirements. But the Brits may have flipped the script on the cost equation. A live demonstration by the British Army Royal Artillery's Trials and Development Unit has revealed its creation of a new Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) which disables drones and larger swarms with high power microwaves. Unlike lasers or traditional missile interceptors, this system disrupts a drone's electronics, neutralizing it at a fraction of the cost: just 10 pence (about 24 cents) per shot. However, while the system is impressive, it may not be able to defeat newer drones that utilize fiber optic cables. (Army Recognition, December 23, 2024)