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 Lt. Jennifer Bowman

In the Beginning: SSP’s Sea-Based Strategic Deterrence Mission

Strategic Systems Programs

May 17, 2023 | 3:48

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2023) - This video is the first in a series of features that chronicles the history of and provides an introduction to the mission and ethos of Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), based at the Washington Navy Yard. SSP is the acquisitions command that has cradle to grave responsibility for the submarine-launched ballistic missile system, overseeing all aspects of research, development, production, logistics, storage, repair, and operational support, which directly contributes to the Navy's vital sea-based strategic deterrence mission to protect and defend the nation. (U.S. Navy Video by Luke Land)