Exclusive: Top general sees "gaps" in space arms

Thomas Novelly

Center: a senior police officer in dress uniform with ribbons and badges, standing before flags. A microphone blocks part of another officer on the right; photographer's hand in foreground. — Gen. Stephen Whiting is stepping down from his role as commander of U.S. Space Command. Photo: Derek Lacey/Axios

The four-star general leading the military's high-stakes space missions sees critical gaps in the nation's arsenal to counter China's and Russia's emerging threats.

Why it matters: Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of U.S. Space Command, has seen orbital threats evolve rapidly during his 37-year military career. In an exclusive chat with Axios, he said the command needs more investment and capabilities.

The ongoing war in Iran has revealed that U.S. adversaries are targeting ground-based radar systems to gain an advantage. Whiting said the same logic now applies to the nation's military assets orbiting Earth.

What he's saying: "Some of those key gaps are self-protection of our high-value assets on orbit," Whiting said.

Zoom in: Whiting has emphasized that the military needs to be able to counter a foe's fleet of low-Earth orbit satellite constellations. It also requires enhanced orbital detection to identify threats.

A larger arsenal of equipment to destroy satellites with physical or electronic damage is also crucial, he added.
"I will always ask for more because I believe that promotes deterrence," Whiting said. "But also, if we are to have a conflict in space — and that is not inevitable — it gives me a greater range of options to fulfill our American objectives."

What's next: Whiting is stepping down as the head of SPACECOM in the coming months and wrapping up his nearly four-decade-long military career. As he looks back on his time in uniform, he said he has "great optimism" about the U.S. position in space.

"I think we're well postured. We certainly have challenges," Whiting said, "but this is the team I would want to be on for that future."

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Exclusive: Top general sees "gaps" in space arms

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