US Army Defines Space’s Role in Ground Warfare

The U.S. Army issued new guidance on Monday highlighting the role of space systems in ground warfare.

The guidance envisions enhanced space capabilities integration across all Army operations and activities and calls for increased investment in space capabilities, including electronic warfare and kinetic systems that would deny adversaries access to ISR platforms and other military advancements that would allow them to monitor ground-based activities, SpaceNews reported.

Also highlighted in the guidance are adversaries targeting space systems, the need to integrate joint and coalition space capabilities, ensuring commanders understand the importance of space capabilities and the importance of secure fires and effects to protect allies.

The guidance was signed by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and Army Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer.

The guidance came nearly a year after the U.S. Space Command provided more details about responsible behaviors in space for the military. Gen. James Dickinson, SPACECOM’s commander and a past Potomac Officers Club speaker, said the guidance established basic norms for the Department of Defense’s space operations.