Us And Allies Unite To Tackle Space Threats In Historic Orbital Warfare Plan

The United States and its closest allies are working together to develop a joint plan for conducting future “orbital warfare,” a concept that has gained significant attention in recent years. The US Space Command (SPACECOM), which oversees the country’s military activities in space, has been at the forefront of this effort, with the goal of creating a collective concept of operations (CONOPS) that can be used to protect and defend against threats to US space assets.

According to General Stephen Whiting, the commander of SPACECOM, the group of allies participating in the Multinational Force Operation Olympic Defender (MNF-OOD) has been internally discussing the need for “protect and defend capabilities” and “orbital warfare capabilities.” This recognition of the importance of space operations has led the group to decide that it is time to work together to develop a comprehensive plan for conducting orbital warfare.

Whiting explained that the joint plan will focus on building a defense of orbital assets CONOPS, which will involve leveraging the capabilities of all participating nations to deconflict them at a minimum, but ultimately integrate, synchronize, and synergize them. The goal is to create a cohesive and effective strategy for protecting US space systems and other allied assets.

The MNF-OOD group, which includes Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the US, has been working together on various military space operations planning cells in recent years. However, this new joint plan will be a significant step forward, as it will represent the first time that all participating nations have come together to develop a comprehensive strategy for conducting orbital warfare.

Not all of the allied members have publicly expressed interest in developing counterspace capabilities, but Australia, France, Germany, and the UK have all taken steps in recent years to build up their space forces. For example, Australia has been actively developing its military space capabilities, including a new space situational awareness system.

The Space Force defines orbital warfare as one of its core missions, and its recent Objective Force document highlights the importance of this capability in supporting joint force maneuver and fires. The document explains that orbital warfare involves not only actions to protect US space systems but also “offensive and defensive counterspace operations.”

Whiting noted that the joint plan will build on previous exercises, including Operation Selene, which was led by Canada and involved all seven nations participating in MNF-OOD. This exercise, which took place a month or two ago, brought together all seven nations’ space domain awareness capabilities to improve their ability to maintain custody of high-interest targets on orbit.

The success of this exercise has led Whiting to announce that it will become a permanent operation, with the goal of making space operations more routine and efficient. He also noted that the MNF-OOD allies have already written a series of CONOPS documents, including one on space domain awareness, which will provide a foundation for the joint plan.

In addition to the joint plan, SPACECOM is also working on other initiatives to improve its capabilities in space. The organization has been conducting table-top exercises (TTXs) with commercial industry, which have provided valuable insights into potential threats and opportunities. These exercises, which are scheduled to take place quarterly this year, will focus on topics such as dynamic space operations, sustained space maneuver, proliferated constellations, and orbits.

Whiting emphasized the importance of collaboration between government and industry in addressing the challenges posed by orbital warfare. He noted that the TTXs have brought together 60 companies at the classified level to share insights into potential threats and opportunities, and to develop new technologies that can be used to support space operations.

The US has also accused Russia of developing a space-based nuclear capability, which Moscow denies. However, Whiting acknowledged that this threat is real and that the joint plan will need to take it into account.

In conclusion, the development of a joint plan for conducting orbital warfare is an important step forward in the global effort to protect space assets and ensure the security of space operations. The collaboration between the US and its allies is critical to achieving this goal, and SPACECOM’s efforts are leading the way in this area. As Whiting noted, “we’re going to make it happen,” and the benefits for the country and the international community will be significant.

The success of this joint plan will depend on several factors, including the willingness of participating nations to work together, the availability of resources and capabilities, and the ability to address potential challenges. However, with the momentum building behind this effort, it is likely that we will see significant progress in the coming months and years.

The development of orbital warfare capabilities also has important implications for the global space economy. As space technology continues to advance and more nations begin to develop their own space forces, there is a growing need for standards, regulations, and cooperation to ensure that space operations are conducted safely and securely.

In this context, the joint plan developed by SPACECOM represents an important step forward in promoting international cooperation and addressing the challenges posed by orbital warfare. By working together, nations can build on their unique capabilities and strengths to create a more secure and stable space environment for all.

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