Kenneth Rapuano, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security, said that the U.S. must do more and adapt new organizations, policies, doctrine, capabilities and joint force employment to retain military dominance in space.
He made the remarks as other nations increase their capabilities in space, according to Department of Defense report Friday. The U.S. needs to protect its targeting, communications and GPS location in addition to surveillance and reconnaissance tools that rely upon space technology, Rapuano said during a meeting with the Senate Armed Services Committee strategic forces subcommittee.
“To lose those capabilities would be very significant, and that is why we are so focused on defending and protecting them,†he said.
Rapuano warned lawmakers that the country is at risk of losing its edge to China and Russia, which have been developing military capabilities intended to place U.S. space systems at risk.
“The department must do more to accelerate its response to the changing dynamics of space by adapting our organizations, policies, doctrine, capabilities and joint force employment to more effectively deter aggression, protect our interests and enhance our lethality,†he said.
