The Sun as a Non-state Actor: The Implications on Military Operations and Theater Security of a Catastrophic Space Weather Event
Abstract
Modern society relies heavily on robust technology to provide basic communications, positioning, timing, and general population security. The operational commander similarly relies on technology to prosecute missions both in peace and during times of conflict. This paper examines the possibility of a severe space weather event changing the operational environment. The author suggests a repeat of the historic "Carrington event" of 1859 would devastate entire fleets of spacecraft and wipe out entire electrical grids. The result would severely blunt most technological advantages modern commanders currently enjoy and threaten theater security if infrastructure is unable to be reconstituted in a timely manner. This paper begins with a brief description of the Carrington event and how it relates to the modern operational environment. It concludes that there exists a general lack of space environmental awareness in the joint force and recommends commanders at all levels prepare to mitigate these effects through training and proper allocation of resources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 03, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA525043
Entities
People
- Brian W. Kabat
Organizations
- Naval War College