Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

“I’m extremely proud of the Space Force and all the good it has accomplished. But, as good as we are, as much as we’ve done, as far as we’ve come, it’s not enough. We are not yet optimized for Great Power Competition.”

~ Chief of Space Operations
Gen. Chance Saltzman

The establishment of the U.S. Space Force was a direct response to threats arising from Great Power Competition in the space domain. Nevertheless, our legacy roots leave us sub-optimized for the security environment confronting us today, and we must finish fine-tuning the service to continue meeting its National Defense Strategy responsibilities

In early 2024, the Department of the Air Force unveiled sweeping plans for reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing the Air Force and Space Force to ensure continued supremacy in their respective domains while better posturing the services to deter and, if necessary, prevail in an era of Great Power Competition. Through a series of 24 DAF-wide key decisions, four core areas which demand the Department’s attention will be addressed: Develop People, Generate Readiness, Project Power and Develop Capabilities.

The space domain is no longer benign; it has rapidly become congested and contested.

We must enhance our capabilities, develop Guardians for modern warfare, prepare for the high intensity fight, and strengthen our power projection to thrive and win in this new era of Great Power Competition.

Video by Timothy Boulay, Corinne Milligan, Charles Regner

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Eye in the Sky: UH-72's New Camera System

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

March 10, 2026 | 1:07

The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) successfully completed the first flight of a UH‑72 helicopter equipped with a newly integrated turreted Electro‑Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) camera system, marking a significant milestone in advancing sensor testing and future fleet capability. Lt. Anthony Marrazzo, a Weapons Systems Officer in USNTPS Class 168, participated in the inaugural flight and operated the camera system from the rear cabin. “The camera is an EO/IR sensor, so it’s able to see in the visible light spectrum and also in the infrared spectrum,” Marrazzo explained. “These systems allow us to track targets, identify them, and generate target coordinates that can support future weapon solutions.” During the flight, the test team conducted real‑world observation exercises over the Potomac River, the St. Mary’s River, and surrounding areas of southern Maryland. The crew used the sensor to evaluate system performance in operationally relevant scenarios. Marrazzo emphasized the unique value of the event, particularly for aviators from fixed‑wing platforms. “For someone with a fixed‑wing background, it’s a unique opportunity to hop in a helicopter and employ these sensors,” he said. “Learning how to use them now helps us understand how to better implement them as we move forward into our test squadrons.” He added that early exposure to these systems is essential to ensuring future test officers can effectively support the fleet. “It’s important that we learn this now so we’ll know how to implement this for the warfighters.” The successful flight marks the first integration of this capability into the USNTPS curriculum, expanding the UH‑72’s role within the school and supporting ongoing efforts to modernize the education of future developmental test leaders.