US Space Force war game tests satellite network under attack by China and Russia
- US exercise reignites concerns about the growing space arms race
- A Russian weapons test blasted a satellite out of orbit in November
The United States is testing satellite resilience to threats from China and Russia miles above the Earth’s surface, just weeks after Russia shot down an ageing communications satellite.
The computer-aided simulations included potential shooting down of US missile-tracking satellites, satellite jamming, and other electronic warfare “effects” that are possible tactics in space warfare. Actual satellites are not used.
During a visit to Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado, Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks saw the “Space Flag” simulated space training exercise hosted by US forces. It was the thirteenth such exercise, and the third to involve partners such as Britain, Canada and Australia.
“It happens in rooms like that ... people at a relatively junior level in many cases. Collaborating and thinking through challenges and trying to figure out concepts that seem to make sense and discarding ideas that go astray,” Hicks told reporters en route to Hawaii.
Pentagon leaders are touring US bases this week while the Biden administration’s draft 2023 budget takes shape. The Department of Defence hopes to move budget dollars toward a military that can deter China and Russia.