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 Travis Troller

Large Cavitation Channel (LCC)

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division

June 18, 2024 | 3:37

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock's Large Cavitation Channel facility demonstrates its massive scale and powerful hydrodynamic capabilities in preparation for an upcoming test in Memphis, Tenn., June 18, 2024. The LCC ranks among the world’s largest and most advanced high-speed, variable-pressure water tunnel facilities. It tests ship and submarine propellers and their interactions with hulls at scales matching the largest towing and turning basins globally. Carderock is one of the Navy’s pre-eminent research and development facilities that specializes in critical ship design components headquartered in West Bethesda, Md. The Carderock Division supports small-scale model testing and evaluation of next-generation surface ships and underwater vessels. (U.S. Navy video by Travis Troller & Devin Pisner)