The U.S. National Security Space enterprise is not built for the current environment—specifically the rapidly increasing threats from Russia and China—so as the Space Force stands up, the Pentagon released a new strategy aimed at guiding years of policy to address shortfalls in the domain. The Defense Department on June 17 published the National Space Strategy, following in the steps of 2018’s National Defense Strategy, as a “roadmap to advance our nation’s military space power by guiding the most significant transformation in the history of the national security space program,” Stephen Kitay, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, told reporters.

For the second time in a week, F-22 Raptors, supported by KC-135 Stratotankers and an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System, intercepted two formations of Russian aircraft off the coast of Alaska, North American Aerospace Defense Command announced. The Russian aircraft—Tu-95 bombers, Su-35 fighters, and an A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft—stayed in international airspace during the June 16 flights, but came within 32 nautical miles of Alaskan shores, said NORAD. “For the eighth time this year, Russian military aircraft have penetrated our Canadian or Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zones, and each and every time NORAD forces were ready to meet this challenge,” NORAD Commander USAF Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy said in a release.

The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions moved much of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s work online, but the Space Force still met major milestones on new systems virtually. In recent weeks, the GPS III Follow-on finished its critical design review campaign virtually and on schedule. Additionally, the Weather System Follow-On Microwave program finished its CDR process in April, receiving Milestone B approval in mid-May during the height of the pandemic. “I think that’s remarkable, in that old hands like myself … know the face-to-face interpersonal contact required to close out a critical design review on a major weapon system, and to do that virtually is really remarkable,” SMC boss Lt. Gen. J.T. Thompson said during a June 17 Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies virtual event.

The Air Force recently awarded a contract to begin production of body armor specifically designed for women, as part of a service-wide push for inclusion and gear better suited for female Airmen. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Female Fitment Program Office awarded the contract to TSSi of Harrisonburg, Va., after an evaluation of possible gear that included both laboratory and field assessments, according to an Air Force Materiel Command release. “Our female Airmen had gaps due to poor fitment issues,” said Maj. Saily Rodriguez, the manager of the Female Fitment Program, in the release. “The new gear fits properly, which improves protection and offers better comfort for gear that has to be worn in difficult environments and conditions."

NATO defense ministers on June 17 agreed on three measures aimed at countering Russia’s “extensive and growing arsenal of nuclear-capable missiles during the first of a two-day meeting held via secure teleconference due to the new coronavirus pandemic, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. The “balanced package of political and military elements” includes efforts to strengthen the Alliance’s integrated air and missile defense as well as its advanced capabilities, and adapts NATO's intelligence and exercises, Stoltenberg said.

On March 23, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a virtual Nuclear Deterrence Series event featuring Scowcroft Group Principal Frank Miller. At a time when nuclear modernization programs are accelerating around the world, proposals to recapitalize the U.S. nuclear arsenal are at the forefront of debates over defense spending. Miller will share his insights into the prospects for U.S. nuclear modernization programs and the value of nuclear deterrence in today's competitive security environment. The think tank will post event video on its website and YouTube page after the live event.