Space Warfare

Airborne Laser Lets Rip on First Target

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:56:26 -0800

The Airborne Laser (ABL) was fired from a stationary plane at a target on the ground just a few metres away, marking a milestone for the weapon which planners hope can be used for patrolling the skies, zapping missiles, aircraft or even satellites in low Earth orbit with invisible, ultrapowerful laser beams.

Why Australia Should have a Military Space Policy

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:55:20 -0800

The author evaluates a recent Australian Senate Committee report on space policy and laments the lack of attention to military space policy, which he argues is unfortunate because "the further militarisation of space will be an important strategic development in the first half of the 21st century."

EU Military Space Policy could Lead to Expensive 'Star Wars' Arms Race

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:59:39 -0800

European Union ministers are meeting next week to implement a new European space policy which identifies military 'security' as a priority but a new report argues that this could lead to a costly 'Star Wars' arms drive.

Preventing Outer Space Arms Race Would Avert Grave Danger: UN First Committee

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:04:42 -0800

Preventing an arms race in outer space was the hot-button issue on the floor of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today, as Egypt, in one of two draft resolutions introduced in the Committee, sought to highlight the danger of an arms race in outer space, while representatives of countries with major space capabilities debated how best to address the issue.

Pentagon Plans 'Spaceplane’ to Reach Hotspots Fast

Greg Schnippel — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:49:40 -0700

The American military is planning a “spaceplane” designed to fly a crack squad of heavily armed marines to trouble spots anywhere in the world within four hours.

At a recent secret meeting at the Pentagon, engineers working on the craft, codenamed Hot Eagle, were told to draw up blueprints for a prototype which generals want to have in the air within 11 years.

Congress Approved Funding for Study of Space-Based Missile Defense

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:35:30 -0700

Congress voted recently to approve $5 million for a study of space-based missile defenses, the first time the development of space weapons will be considered since similar work was canceled in the 1990s.

Appropriation of the money for the study was tucked away in a little-noticed provision of the Continuing Resolution passed recently by Congress and followed two years in which Congress rejected $10 million sought for the study.

China's Space Capability Could Surpass United States, Panel Warns

Greg Schnippel — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:27:06 -0700

The Shenzhou 7 mission and spacewalk should serve as a reminder that China is building space capabilities that could surpass U.S. technological advances and boost China's diplomatic and economic ties with its allies, a panel of experts said here Oct. 8.

Pentagon Envisions Spaceship Troops

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:11:18 -0700

The Pentagon wants to rocket troops through space to hot spots anywhere on the globe within two hours, and planners spent two days last month discussing how to do it, military documents show.

State Department Arms Control Board Declares Cold War on China

Greg Schnippel — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:35:38 -0700

A report from an advisory board to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recommended that the United States beefs up its nuclear, conventional, and space-based posture in the Pacific to counter China.

The report, which was first described in the Washington Times, portrays China’s military modernization and intentions in highly dramatic terms that appear go beyond the assessments published so far by the Defense Department and the intelligence community.

China Report urges Missile Shield

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:50:51 -0700

The United States needs new weapon systems, including missile defenses and other advanced military capabilities, to deter and counter China's steady buildup of nuclear and conventional arms, according to a draft internal report by a State Department advisory board.

U.S. defense policy has stressed missile defenses against Iran and North Korea. The report, by the Secretary of State's International Security Advisory Board (ISAB), is the first to recommend such defenses against China, including technology in space.