War in space, anyone? That’s an exaggeration, but the trend is looking pretty clear. The Air Force plans to beef up its fledgling offensive space capability by adding four additional ground-based Counter Communications Systems—devices that are intended to disrupt enemy communications satellites temporarily. Air Force Space Command already has three of these things. Space and Missile Systems Center last week extended a call for sources, seeking—but not expecting to find—companies other than Harris Corp. that might be capable of producing CCS units. SMC intends to tap Harris for the work soon after the new year. (Read our article about counter space efforts here.)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.