An Evolving Doctrine: Force Application from Space

The Air Force s complete and Joint Staff s draft doctrine for force application from space is currently limited to non-space force used against terrestrial space resources. The doctrinal discussion of space force application is constrained by current national policy. While the other space operation areas of space support, force enhancement, and space control are maturing, force application from space has not progressed commensurately. Only with force application from space can we realize the possibility of Full Spectrum Dominance, as described in Joint Vision 2010, and tap into the unique advantages that space systems offer to the warfighter. Bringing about the comprehensive integration of space into the nation s warfighting capabilities is a substantial task and will require doctrine inclusive of force application from space and new space systems able to bring that force to bear. Space-based force application must address military combat operations from space against space, air, and surface targets. As a result of this doctrinal development of space force application, we can move our use of space beyond primarily supporting roles. This paper will first review current doctrinal concepts by way of background. From this will follow an exploration of the uniqueness of the space environment relative to force application and a brief examination of how future space systems could contribute to the combat needs of operational theater commanders. Finally, this paper will conclude with a synthesis of the background and analysis into an initial space force application doctrine that will begin to move the Air Force toward comprehensive integration of future space combat capabilities and ultimately to full spectrum dominance.