Shelton: Greater operational capacity needed in space, cyber
Space Command chief warns that internal challenges weaken Air Force defense capabilities.
Gen. William Shelton, commander of Air Force Space Command, warned that without budget flexibility, operational capacity to defend against interceptor and jamming attacks will be diminished. Shelton stressed the shortfalls during a speech before the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference.
Shelton said the U.S. military needs to protect against threats by enhancing both space and cyber capabilities, reported DefenseTech. “There’s not an operation conducted anywhere at any level that is not somehow dependent upon space and cyberspace [and] Air Force Space Command has to make its capabilities more resilient,” he said.
“This is a critical juncture for space and cyberspace,” he added, “our dependence on both of these domains has never been higher and threats are increasing.”
Shelton cited the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite constellation as an improved capability that will help the military meet new challenges.