Whither Space Weapons: A Capability in Need of an Advocate

Abstract

Space weaponization has been a much debated topic over the past decade. The debate has included political and technical discussions on whether, with what, and for what purpose to weaponize space. Little has been written about space weaponization from the operational commander's perspective. Absent commentary from the combatant commanders, it is difficult to determine from a theater strategic perspective how space weapons might be employed to preserve peace and win wars. This paper highlights the problems inherent in the current technological, political and service parochial discussion regarding space weapons and advocates that combatant commanders should be the primary voice and the determining factor on space weaponization.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 17, 2005
Accession Number
ADA463197

Entities

People

  • Daniel C. Blaettler

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Department Of Defense
  • Disruptive Technology
  • International Law
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Organizations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Situational Awareness
  • Space Systems
  • Space Weapons
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space