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 Spc. Elijah Magana

U.S. Army field tests new CUAS tech for Flytrap

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

June 21, 2025 | 0:59

U.S. Army Capt. David Smith, company commander of “Lightning” Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, explains the intent of field testing new counter-unmanned aerial systems during Project Flytrap at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels Training Area, Hohenfels, Germany, June 19, 2025. Smith explained that the new technology being tested could be utilized by the U.S. Army in standard future training. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Elijah Magaña)

~Transcript~

(00:06) Capt. David Smith:
“Project Fly Trap is an operation that's centered around new equipment testing and new equipment fielding of counter-unmanned aerial systems. So what we've seen in the past are very stationary systems. The Army is currently going through an innovation period where we're trying to put these counter-UAS systems into the hands of the soldier, the end-user on the ground.”

(00:33) Capt. David Smith:
“As the troop commander, I have the opportunity to have counter-UAS systems in a mounted platform as we execute our operations. We have a variety of systems out here to include Pit Bull wingmen, the Focus Fusion System. The Army is taking a look as a whole across the spectrum of what could potentially be utilized in the future.”

(00:55) Staff Sgt. Kirk Smith, squad leader assigned to 3-2CR:
“I have contact right beside you.”

~Music~

“A Hero Will Rise” by Stephen McKeon is licensed under De Wolfe Music Library. To request a copy of the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment’s license, please email team@dewolfemusic.com

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