26 décembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial

NATO declares space ‘operational domain,’ but more work remains

By: Bradley Bowman and Andrew Gabel

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization recently declared that space is an “operational domain” for the alliance. Though much work remains to actualize an integrated NATO space posture, the affirmation is an important benchmark as NATO scrambles to meet rapidly evolving space and counter-space threats.

Today, space-based assets are an Achilles' heel of U.S. military operations, representing a vital enabling mechanism upon which success often depends. In addition, great power adversaries could target civilian space assets to wreak havoc on the homeland in ways that redound far beyond the military realm.

America's enemies have taken notice. “Foreign governments are developing capabilities that threaten others' ability to use space,” according to a 2019 U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessment. “China and Russia, in particular, have taken steps to challenge the United States.”

Russia has spent decades building up its counter-space arsenal, from cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities to probable ground-launched anti-satellite weapons. Moscow believes that “achieving supremacy in space” can enable victory in future conflicts.

China's People's Liberation Army apparently agrees. Beijing has also identified space superiority — and space denial — as essential planks in its modern “informatized” military strategy. Indeed, China “continues to improve its counterspace weapons capabilities and has enacted military reforms to better integrate cyberspace, space, and EW into joint military operations,” the DIA assessment read.

These threats are already materializing. Russia is suspected to be behind nearly 10,000 GPS spoofing incidents — affecting over 1,300 civilian navigation systems — according to a report by C4ADS released last June. China has also targeted America's vulnerability in space, notoriously hacking U.S. weather systems and satellite networks in 2014, after testing an anti-satellite weapon in 2007, which generated a cloud of hazardous space debris.

Fortunately, NATO is beginning to respond. In June 2019, NATO approved a new space policy, which NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has described as an acknowledgment of NATO's reliance upon satellites for a range of fundamental military functions. These include, for example, communications, tracking, early warning, surveillance and navigation.

Though only a “framework” for now, it is an important start.

Today the U.S. shares space situational awareness data with its NATO allies and vice versa. Yet, there is potential for deeper collaboration in additional areas such as hosted payloads on satellites and communications. And while there is disagreement within the alliance with respect to space weaponization, this tension should not prevent the alliance from forging ahead on a number of important initiatives. Examples include general space-asset resilience (including within the electromagnetic spectrum), space-reliant communication, synchronized threat warning, command and control, and surveillance and reconnaissance. A space sensor layer, for instance, will be critical to tracking and intercepting Russian hypersonic missiles, an emerging threat against which there is currently no adequate defense.

NATO must take swift action to redress these areas of exposure. But how?

To begin with, NATO could publish a publicly available strategy document analogous to the U.S.-produced National Defense Strategy. This would provide multiyear strategic signposts and, because of its public availability, outside accountability.

As proposed by others, NATO could also run annual “Space Flag” exercises akin to the current “Red Flag” exercises, which today help hone large-scale, multinational joint air operations. “Space Flag” could likewise be used to systematically develop and refine space contingencies against red cell adversaries.

In addition, NATO could explore co-developing NATO-specific space assets from inception, tailored for NATO's mission and permanently integrated into NATO's command structure. The United States and Europe's combined space experience and infrastructure is a comparative advantage vis-a-vis Russia and China. If put to proper use, it could give NATO's space dominance efforts a significant leg up.

Finally, NATO could entertain the formation of a combined NATO-operated space assets pool, to which existing current member states could contribute existing capacity. A study conducted by the NATO-sponsored Joint Air Power Competence Centre found it “demonstrably feasible” to complete multination, multi-satellite constellations. The study suggested such an approach could emulate NATO partnerships related to the E-3A, C-17 and A-400M platforms but would be “potentially conducive to additional flexibility and innovation.”

The same report cites the Disaster Monitoring Constellation, or DMC, program — an existing multinational satellite-monitoring program used for disaster relief — as an existing example of effectively marshaling space assets. DMC's shared capabilities “reduce cost, enable sharing, and can be upgraded and expanded to address emerging concerns.” So, too, might a NATO constellation.

Officially recognizing space as an operational domain and establishing a framework for a unified space policy are laudable steps forward for NATO — necessary to counter both present and future threats. But waking up to the threat is not enough. Now is the time for tangible and urgent collective action to secure the ultimate high ground.

Bradley Bowman is senior director for the Center on Military and Political Power with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where Andrew Gabel is a research analyst.

https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/12/16/nato-declares-space-operational-domain-but-more-work-remains

Sur le même sujet

25 octobre 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - October 24, 2019
ARMY Frank X. Spencer Inc.,* El Paso, Texas, was awarded a $240,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for professional land survey architect-engineer services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 12 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 23, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock, Arkansas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-20-D-6001). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Combat Medical Systems LLC, Harrisburg, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $43,432,160 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for medical and surgical supplies. This was a competitive acquisition with 16 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no options. Location of performance is North Carolina, with an Oct. 23, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-20-D-0003). Creighton AB Inc., Reidsville, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $8,055,077 firm-fixed-price contract for men's trousers. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are North Carolina and New York, with an Oct. 23, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-1211). (Awarded Oct. 23, 2019) NAVY General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $32,082,297 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-2104 to exercise options for the accomplishment of reactor plant planning yard services for nuclear-powered submarines and support yard services for the Navy's moored training ships. This option exercise is for the accomplishment of reactor plant planning yard services for nuclear-powered submarines and support yard services for the Navy's moored training ships. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. will furnish, fabricate, or acquire such materials, supplies and services as may be necessary to perform the functions of the planning yard for reactor plants and associated portions of the propulsion plants for nuclear powered submarines. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (90%); and Charleston, South Carolina (10%), and is expected to be complete by September 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy); and other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $13,214,312 will be obligated at time of award and $5,514,432 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. ViaSat Inc., Carlsbad, California, is awarded a $23,914,150 five-year, firm-fixed-price, long-term requirement contract for the repair support of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System, Low Volume Terminal for the Navy. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Work will be performed in Oostkamp, Belgium (50%); Carlsbad, California (37%); Palm Bay, Florida (9%); and Lynwood, Washington (4%). Work is expected to be completed by October 2024. Annual working capital funds (Navy) will be used and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. A delivery order in the amount of $3,930,305 will be obligated at the time of award. One company was solicited for this sole sourced requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-20-D-VK01). FreeAlliance.com LLC,* McLean, Virginia, is awarded a $15,299,578 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for advanced cyber support services in support of the Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group. Work will be performed in Quantico, Virginia. This one-year contract includes four one-year option periods which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $79,599,761. The period of performance of the base period is Nov. 1, 2019, through Oct. 31, 2020. If all options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Oct. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $1 million will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $1 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via request for proposal N66001-18-R-0011, which was published on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command e-Commerce Central website. Five offers were received and one was selected for award. The Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-20-C-3406). Bristol Design Build Services LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska, is a $14,435,000 firm-fixed-price task order N62473-20-F-4013 under a multiple award construction contract for the design and construction at Repair Building 618 at Naval Amphibious Base, Naval Base, Coronado, California. The work to be performed provides for a three-story unaccompanied housing facility and is being utilized for enlisted program sailors. Repair work includes addressing deteriorated exterior and interior facility systems and components such as fatigued concrete floors, walls and hallways, damaged ceiling tiles, rusted out doors and door casings, cracked concrete stairs, damaged/aging electrical systems and components, mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, lighting and faulty wet utility/plumbing systems. Work will be performed in Coronado, California, and is expected to be completed by May 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $14,435,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-17-D-4636). AIR FORCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Corp., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $12,437,030 undefinitized contractual action contract for C-130-J support. The contract will provide long term sustainment (LTS) for France's C-130-J aircraft. Critical components of LTS support include program management support; spares, supply support services; support equipment; diminishing manufacturing sources, sustaining engineering services, sustaining engineering/technical services, field services representatives (FRS), logistics service representatives, contract field team, FSR deployment/travel, technical order updates; technical order print and distribution; country standard time compliance technical orders; depot maintenance; aircraft modifications; and data and configuration management programs. Work will be performed at Marietta, Georgia; and at French air bases, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2023. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition and is 100% foreign military sales. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $2,487,391 will be obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8553-20-C-0001). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1998102/source/GovDelivery/
22 août 2023 | International, Naval

Navantia Australia awarded DDG Platform Systems Design contract
Navantia Australia’s Managing Director, Mr Israel Lozano, said that the engagement as Platform Systems Designer is a major achievement for the company and will drive significant growth.
19 juin 2019 | International, Aérospatial

La France Avertit Que Les Nouveaux Drones Européens Doivent Avoir Un Prix Compétitif
By Sameh PARIS (Reuters) – Un drone de nouvelle génération développé par plusieurs pays européens doit être proposé à un prix compétitif. Sinon, le projet de promotion de l'unité et de la force de l'Europe dans un monde de plus en plus incertain échouera, a prévenu lundi le ministre français de la Défense. La France et l'Allemagne sont les pionniers dans la mise au point d'un nouvel avion de combat habité destiné à remplacer l'avion de chasse Dassault Aviation Eurofighter Typhoon et Rafale, ainsi que de nombreuses armes connexes, notamment des drones. "Je tiens à dire aux entreprises que ce programme ne sera un succès que si le drone proposé est compétitif", a déclaré la secrétaire à la Défense, Florence Parly, lors d'un discours prononcé au salon aéronautique de Paris. "Ce n'est pas seulement un problème pour les acheteurs déjà en lice – la France, l'Allemagne, l'Espagne et l'Italie – mais également pour les futurs clients à l'exportation." Airbus, Dassault Aviation et Leonardo ont présenté en avril 2018 un premier modèle du drone MALE (Medium Altitude Long-Endurance) prévu au salon aéronautique de Berlin. Le drone à deux turbopropulseurs devrait entrer en service au milieu de la prochaine décennie et sera principalement destiné à la surveillance, bien qu'une version avec armes soit disponible en option. Les français Thales, italien Elettronica, allemand Hensoldt et espagnol Indra ont annoncé qu'ils s'uniraient pour offrir des fonctions d'information, de surveillance, de ciblage et de reconnaissance au drone. Reportage de Sophie Louet; Lettre de Richard Lough; Arrangement de John Irish Nos standards:Les principes de Thomson Reuters Trust. https://news-24.fr/la-france-avertit-que-les-nouveaux-drones-europeens-doivent-avoir-un-prix-competitif/

Toutes les nouvelles

NATO declares space ‘operational domain,’ but more work remains

Sur le même sujet

Navantia Australia awarded DDG Platform Systems Design contract Navantia Australia’s Managing Director, Mr Israel Lozano, said that the engagement as Platform Systems Designer is a major achievement for the company and will drive significant growth.

Navantia Australia awarded DDG Platform Systems Design contract
Navantia Australia’s Managing Director, Mr Israel Lozano, said that the engagement as Platform Systems Designer is a major achievement for the company and will drive significant growth.