Towards Improved Operational Command and Control of Space Weapons

Abstract

Recently, discussions concerning the weaponization of space have begun to reach a crescendo. Political and military leaders within the United States have started expanding the national discussion regarding this highly debated topic. This paper will not focus on the weaponization debate as a matter of policy, but rather will offer options for operational command and control of space weapons hypothetically deployed. Two broad categories are analyzed: command and control using reachback, and command and control from within the theater commander's operational area. The latter is divided into two possibilities: creation of a Joint Force Space Component Command (JFSCC) or creation of a Joint Force Air and Space Component Command (JFASCC). With doctrinal guidance as a starting point, each of these options for space strike command and control is analyzed according to its advantages and disadvantages to the operational commander. The paper concludes with a rationale for future Joint Force Commanders to create a Joint Forces Space Component Command to best command and control space strike assets.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 10, 2007
Accession Number
ADA470762

Entities

People

  • Chad J. Davis

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Information Operations
  • Military Operations
  • Organizational Structure
  • Space Based
  • Space Command And Control
  • Space Force
  • Space Operations
  • Space Weapons
  • United States Strategic Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Space