Jan 15, 2025 - World

A "more powerful" Space Force requires upgraded arsenal, says Kendall

Colin Demarest

Five people stand in an elevator. The tone is warm. Three of the people, men, are in blue clothing, including one in a military uniform. — U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall waits for elevator doors to close. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The U.S. needs more options to disrupt or destroy space tech deployed by other countries, namely China and Russia, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

Why it matters: Counter-space weaponry is seemingly taboo to talk about. Rarely will an official discuss hunting spacecraft.

The latest: The outgoing secretary on Monday called for a "much bigger, much more capable, much more powerful Space Force" — going from "a Merchant Marine to a Navy, an armed force."

"We need a cost-effective mix of terrestrial and orbital weapons," he said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies event.

Zoom out: Militaries rely on space and satellites for navigation, long-haul communications, spying, targeting, missile tracking and more.

Threat level: Experts warn Washington's advantage in space is eroding. Meanwhile, Moscow and Beijing jockey for position and arsenal advancements.

The former hit a satellite of its own in 2021, creating more than 1,500 shreds of space debris. The latter blew up a defunct weather satellite in 2007, drawing international criticism.

The bottom line: "Space is going to be the decisive domain," Kendall said.

"The ability of the entire joint force to project power depends upon our success in space."

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A "more powerful" Space Force requires upgraded arsenal, says Kendall

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