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 Chelsie Holloway

NIWC Atlantic and STEM at EDS SOTs and B Roll

Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic

Dec. 12, 2024 | 3:23

This video contains multiple SOTs and B-Roll of the STEM robotics demonstration at the Charleston Defense Contractors Association, Eastern Defense Summit on Dec. 11th and 12th, 2024.

NIWC Atlantic scientists and engineers act as mentors to students within the STEM programs to provide advice and expertise to their projects.There is a long-standing partnership between NIWC Atlantic and STEM programs throughout the Charleston area.

This past year, more than 350 NIWC Atlantic employees volunteered approximately 113,000 hours and were able to reach more than 89,000 in the Charleston tri-county through this outreach. We support approximately 116 local robotics teams annually with student teams ranging from pre-k through high school. We match requesting teams with employees willing to mentor the students and teams and that can help to guide the teams to complete a specified robotics project, culminating in end of season competitions. To ensure success, mentors attend the teams’ practices, helps them build and troubleshoots their robots and provides feedback and real-world insight.

The Annual Eastern Defense Summit (EDS) is one of the largest defense-focused events on the East Coast, bringing together more than 2,400 government, military, academia and industry leaders to spark ideas, innovation, and solutions to our current and future National Defense digital challenges.