Military Space
As space launch business heats up in Florida, Air Force commander Wayne Monteith tries to break records
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith is a military officer who speaks with the enthusiasm of a startup CEO. “When people say the space business is down, they’re not spending much time down here where I have four launches in a month,” he commented.
Mattis incensed there’s still no budget – DepSecDef at Space Command – Military pulling for Falcon Heavy
The budget impasse has been beyond exasperating, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. "I cannot overstate the impact to our troops morale over all of this uncertainty."
SN Military.Space | Vice Chief Selva: With no budget ‘We’re gambling’ – Why it’s hard to defend space – Space industry adapts to changing market
With still no budget four months into fiscal year 2018, the Pentagon is waiting to see where the chips fall. Defense officials are ready to take the FY19 budget proposal up to Capitol Hill but that may prove a tricky bet not knowing what Congress will appropriate for FY18.
SN Military.Space | HASC chairman blasts Congress for ‘immoral’ funding process
In a deal struck Monday, Congress passed its fourth continuing resolution since late September to keep the government funded at last year's levels.
On National Security | Cloud of uncertainty over military space programs
“On National Security” appears in every issue of SpaceNews magazine. This column ran in the Dec. 18, 2017 issue.
Op-ed | Paving a clear “Path” to interoperable SATCOM
It’s time to allow trusted commercial operators to help government benefit from improved satellite operations
Space race underway to protect satellite communications networks
The space weapons that U.S. military commanders fear most are not missiles aimed at satellites.
Sandra Erwin joins SpaceNews to lead milspace coverage
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — Veteran defense journalist Sandra Erwin has joined SpaceNews to lead the publication’s national security coverage.
Erwin has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for…
Military space needs independent voice, says HASC Chairman Thornberry
Congress this month will decide whether there should be a "space corps" separate from the Air Force.
Experts call for more diplomacy, less militarization of space
As Congress debates a contentious proposal to create a military “space corps,” some of Washington’s top experts say the U.S. government should promote more civility and less bellicosity in the cosmos.
Air Force taking steps to speed up space modernization
Space advocates on Capitol Hill have pounded the Air Force for the slow pace of modernization. The four-star general in charge of Air Force Space Command says the message has been heard loud and clear.
USAF puts space warfighting focus on awareness
With the recent development of the first space warfighting concepts of operation, U.S. Air Force space leaders are focusing more on development on better space situational awareness.
SpaceX forces Air Force to revise launch mindset
“SpaceX does not launch on schedule,” says Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander, 45th Space Wing. “They launch on readiness.”
Air Force Reserve grooming space warriors
Air Force leaders generally agree that the service will need more skills in three key areas: space, cyber and intelligence. Where that talent will come from is still a matter of debate.
Mattis sees need for new space programs
“In space, we need new starts in order to take advantage of what industry can deliver if we are willing to invest there,” U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Sept. 20 at the annual Air Force Association Air Space Cyber conference.
Lockheed Martin unveils new satellite bus lineup
With both military and commercial customers seeking more choices in satellite size and orbit, Lockheed Martin has rolled out a new family of satellite buses that consolidate the customized spacecraft the company has previously developed.
Lower launch costs, smaller payloads will help shape space warfighting, Goldfein says
With both launch costs and payload size going down, it will be easier for the U.S. Air Force to deploy the right kinds of sensors and systems to fight future space wars that will depend more on information and networking, said Gen. David Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff.
Space could benefit from shift in Air Force investment strategy
When Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson recently visited an air warfare command center in the Middle East, she was “struck” by how different things are now compared to just a few years ago.
Wargaming tool sharpens space domain focus
As the U.S. Air Force looks to hone its recently issued warfighting operational concepts for space, Lockheed Martin has developed a digital battle manager that promises to integrate the domain into overall planning to a much greater degree than before.
USAF to scrutinize science and technology strategy
“We need to update our research priorities, but validation of research areas isn't enough,” Wilson said during her keynote speech at the annual Air Force Association Air Space Cyber Conference.
