PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – US not organized or equipped for the coming electromagnetic wars in space. Space-based capabilities like GPS and satellite communications are vital to modern warfighting—and they are also most easily attackable via the electromagnetic spectrum via jamming or spoofing the radio transmissions that provide their command and control.
David Zurn has worked on electromagnetic warfare (EW) programs for a decade or more. This month, he warned of the Pentagon’s vulnerability when it comes to what he calls “EW counter-space.”
“A day without space is really a day without 21st century warfighting,” said Zurn. “Space, however, is completely dependent on reliable data in its [Telemetry, Tracking and Command] links,” the radio transmissions that enable ground stations to communicate with and control satellites in orbit.
Satellites generally aren’t capable of autonomous operation, Zurn noted. “We’ve got to have the TT&C links to operate those vehicles, and the data we get from them [for surveillance or communications] is critical. If those data links are cut off, we’re not going to get that info and we’re not going to be able to communicate across the force,” he said. But they can easily be jammed.
As Space Force marks 5-year anniversary, Republicans and Trump aim to take it higher. Then-President Donald Trump created the Space Force on Dec. 20, 2019.
Why do we need a Space Force? The Space Force is now five years old, yet most Americans don’t even know it exists, not to mention what it does or why we need it. That’s an uncomfortable fact and a problem for the entire nation that every Space Force Guardian needs to understand and take seriously.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories ending the week from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEFING – the PDB:
HOMELAND SECURITY
Murder and terrorism charges brought against Iranian officer in 2022 killing of an American in Iraq. The Iranian is in custody in Iraq, where he already has been convicted by an Iraqi court for his role in the killing.
US POWER OVERSEAS
US surgical airstrike kills an ISIS leader in Syria.
It’s time for US troops to leave Syria. There are roughly 4,500 U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria today, and they represent a potentially significant strategic vulnerability to our country.
POLITICS
Trump threatens to try to regain control of the Panama Canal.
IRAN THREAT/ISRAEL WARS
Assad’s fall lays the ground for wider peace — if the US can seize the moment. The epochal collapse of the Assad government, along with much of the Iranian regional network, has opened the door to a more peaceful Middle East, but has also created risks. The current administration must handle these with urgency, not leave them to its successor.
US drops $10M terrorism bounty offered for capture of Syrian rebel leader who ousted Assad.
Turkey and Russia engage in delicate maneuvers over Syria after Assad’s downfall.
Hundreds of former Syrian soldiers on Saturday reported to the country’s new rulers for the first time since Bashar Assad was ousted to answer questions about whether they may have been involved in crimes against civilians in exchange for a promised amnesty and return to civilian life.
CHINA THREAT
Taiwan gets US M-1 Abrams tanks, hardening final defenses in an invasion.
China says US ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan.
After primacy: US military options in contemporary East Asia.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
NORTH KOREA THREAT
‘Remain vigilant’: Retiring US Forces Korea commander reminds troops of potential threats.
SPACE THREAT
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Suspect in German Christmas market attack had history of troubling social media posts that grew increasingly dark.
US MILITARY
Congress authorizes free Wi-Fi for troops in barracks.
Troops are skipping mental health treatment over privacy fears, and that concern is not unwarranted.
F-35B and F-35C use different 25mm gun pods unique to each variant. The B and C variants of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter lack an internal 25mm cannon like the A version. Instead, they rely on belly-mounted pods to provide gun capability. But they are different.
America must ‘honor the contract’ on veterans’ benefits. On Thanksgiving, an article published in The Economist demonstrated its contempt for American veterans, labeling our benefits as “absurdly generous.”
END of PDB
READ NEXT: Shock Census Report: Republican Strongholds Set To Dominate Next Decade
When will we Be Ready?? NOW