TOPICS
TOPICS
Air Force general: Chinese anti-satellite test a 'wake-up call'
China's anti-satellite test earlier this year served as a "wake-up call" that the United States must invest in new space-based sensors and ways to protect its satellites, the leader of the Air Force's Space Command said Tuesday.
"It was irresponsible," said Gen. Kevin Chilton. of Chinese officials' decision to destroy one of the country's own aged satellites using a ground-launched missile. "They created a debris hazard" for both military and commercial satellites in low Earth orbit.
Space must now be considered a battlefield where potential enemies may try and take away an "asymmetric advantage" the United States has long enjoyed in reconnaissance and intelligence, Chilton said at the annual Air Force conference in Washington, D.C.
The test makes it clear that space is no longer an American "sanctuary," an argument the Air Force has been making for some time, he said. He added that in the long run, the Chinese test likely will backfire, as the United States develops new technologies to protect its satellites. "Now we know clearly where we need to invest our dollars in that domain," he said.
The United States must invest more heavily in new space-based sensors to increase "situational awareness," to protect its satellites from attack and space debris, Chilton said. Also, satellite launch sites must be upgraded, he said.
China's military is "modernizing rapidly," but there isn't enough information on what new weapons systems China is building, said Gen. Paul Hester, commander of Pacific Air Forces, speaking at the conference. He said China and the United States must build stronger military ties, with officer exchanges and joint exercises in the Pacific region.
COMMENTS
- Is there value in working with the Chinese to diffuse a possible confrontation, absolutely. But a solution to protect our assets is necessary, if its not the chicoms it could be someone else. State has always been overrated in its ability it should be relegated to handing out passports and holding parties as it does now, its all it does well dan ketter Posted September 27, 2007 10:15 AM
- This article clearly demonstrates the failure of the USAF to develop a clear vision of our current and future relationship with China. One General Officer speaks to a need for an acceleration of our space weaponization program while the other speaks to the formation of military ties. Can one imagine a General Officer immediately prior to WWII recommending unified military training with Germany while another General officer urgently recommends modernization of our weapon systems because of the new threat? What is the USAF vision--justification of a massive new investment in space weaponization because of the new Chinese threat or demonstration of aggressiveness or the Rodney King approach. I would argue the Rodney King approach is more appropriate to the State Department while the appropriate DOD value/vision is that of the price of peace is eternal vigilance. Ray Vaselich Posted September 26, 2007 2:12 PM
- Welcome to the free enterprise market. If the US won't buy a contractor's technology then the stuff goes to whoever else can afford it. That and the fact there is almost zero technology manufacturing in the US anymore (gone to Asia) this news is no suprise. DC Fed Posted September 26, 2007 11:34 AM
