Us Space Force Unveils Ambitious Roadmap For Warfighting Future

As the United States Space Force prepares to celebrate its sixth birthday, General Chance Saltzman is nearing the end of his tenure as Chief of Space Operations. To commemorate this milestone, the Space Force has released a comprehensive document known as the “Vector,” which serves as a roadmap for the service’s progress and future direction.

The “Vector” is more than just a report card; it’s a blueprint for the Space Force’s transformation into a warfighting service. According to Saltzman, the document aims to connect the dots between what the Space Force does and its ultimate mission to achieve space superiority.

“If every Guardian can internalize the concepts contained herein, I am confident that we will accelerate our transformation into a warfighting service; a Service that embodies warrior ethos, outpaces our adversaries, and protects our Joint Force and our Nation from space-enabled attack,” Saltzman wrote in the opening lines of the “Vector.”

To achieve this goal, the Space Force has been working on several key tenets, including its concept of “competitive endurance.” This theory identifies three core principles for success: avoid operational surprise, deny first-mover advantage, and responsible counterspace campaigning. By adopting these principles, the Space Force aims to create a strategic dependence on spacepower that will enable it to maintain its relevance in an increasingly contested warfighting domain.

One of the key areas where the Space Force is focusing its efforts is in developing a more robust doctrine for warfighting. This involves not only modernizing its existing capabilities but also investing in new technologies and strategies that will allow it to stay ahead of emerging threats. According to Charles Galbreath, senior resident fellow at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, the “Vector” document provides a detailed look at the progress the service has made in this area.

“It’s almost a way for Gen. Saltzman to say, ‘Here’s what I’m signing up to do over the next 12 months of my tenure—hold me accountable to it,’” Galbreath said.

The “Vector” highlights several key initiatives that the Space Force is pursuing in its efforts to become a warfighting service. One of these is the development of an “objective force” document, which will outline the service’s vision for what platforms, support structures, and manpower it will need over the next 15 years. This document is seen as a critical step towards creating a more coherent and effective Space Force.

In addition to its doctrine and strategy, the Space Force is also working to normalize spacepower so that it can be better integrated into the Joint Force. This involves not only modernizing its existing capabilities but also developing new partnerships and collaborations with other services and agencies.

One of the key tools being developed for this purpose is the “Space Mission Task Force” (SMTF). This formation brings together a commander, a command-and-control element, and combat formations that perform space operations, enabling the Space Force to present itself more effectively as a warfighting service. According to the “Vector,” the SMTF elevates and normalizes space operations by ensuring that senior-ranking Space Force commanders report directly to Joint Force commanders and have all the necessary expertise to execute missions.

As the Space Force continues to evolve, it is also working to address several key challenges, including its transition into a part-time force. The service plans to integrate part-time Guardians no later than July 2026, which will enable it to maintain its readiness and effectiveness while also addressing concerns about workforce development and retention.

Despite these challenges, the “Vector” document offers a promising vision for the future of the Space Force. According to Saltzman, the document presents a clear direction for the service, with a focus on becoming a warfighting organization that can deliver combat-ready forces to the combatant commands.

“Done right, our efforts will complete our transformation into a warfighting service, deliver combat-ready forces to the combatant commands, and field the capabilities we need to secure Space Superiority for the Joint Force and our nation in a rapidly evolving operating environment,” Saltzman wrote.

In conclusion, the “Vector” document represents an important milestone in the development of the United States Space Force. By providing a clear roadmap for its progress and future direction, the document offers a compelling vision for how the service can achieve its mission to become a warfighting organization that can deliver critical capabilities to the Joint Force.

As the Space Force looks to the future, it is clear that there are many challenges ahead. However, with a clear direction and a commitment to delivering results, the Service has every opportunity to succeed in its mission to secure Space Superiority for the United States.