A "Maritime Strategy" for Space - Adapting Sea Power and Naval Warfare Concepts to the Space Domain and National Power
Abstract
As the newest warfighting domain, U.S. interests in space must now be considered more carefully. Further, the U.S. military must be prepared to defend its national interests and maintain competitive advantage in a contested space environment. As identified in the 2018 National Defense Strategy, a resurgent Russia and a rising China add new complexity for military professionals to prepare for future conflict. Further, the reduction of the cost associated with space technologies coupled with the proliferation of space access by the commercial sector will raise the international stakes of economic competition. This paper will explore the intersection of great power competition and space as a contested environment. In particular, great power competition with China and Russia within the space domain provides a context to examine how adapting Alfred Thayer Mahans and SirJulian Corbetts naval warfare concepts may offer practical strategy suggestions to enable the U.S. to maintain the competitive advantage and secure vital national interests in space. For example, just as access to the seas was a method for a nation to generate wealth and enable security as expressed by Mahan, the space domain draws similar parallels to today and the foreseeable future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 28, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1177734
Entities
People
- Daniel T Kovatch
Organizations
- Marine Corps University