The US Space Force works to develop sophisticated space weapons because China and Russia continue to enhance their military space capabilities. During the Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium, General Chance Saltzman explained that the Space Force needs both offensive and defensive space capabilities. According to him, space superiority can only be achieved through the disruption and degradation of enemy assets followed by their destruction when needed.
The space weapon categories Saltzman established included three space-based systems and three ground-based systems. The three categories of space weapons include physical destruction through missiles and other kinetic weapons as well as non-physical interference techniques such as jamming and cyberattacks and directed-energy weapons that use lasers and microwaves. China and Russia actively work on developing all six types of space weapons, but the United States has not fully committed to their development.
China has demonstrated intense growth in its space capabilities by launching more than 1,000 satellites, which serve both intelligence and military targeting functions. The Pentagon expresses worries about China’s ability to launch anti-satellite attacks through direct-ascent missiles and co-orbital satellites as well as laser systems. Russia conducted tests with kinetic space weapons, which included a satellite that launched projectiles to destroy enemy spacecraft.
The Space Force increases space resilience through its plan to launch multiple smaller maneuverable satellites instead of using large exposed satellites. The military leadership maintains that deterrence needs offensive capabilities alongside defensive measures. During his interview, Saltzman avoided disclosing detailed information about new weapons but indicated that his focus would be on denial and disruption alongside degradation instead of direct destruction because of space debris concerns.
The Space Force operates with a 2024 budget of $29 billion, which represents only a small portion of the Pentagon’s total defense funding. Officials emphasize that space warfare funding needs to expand because it represents the key to maintaining US superiority in this developing military domain.