The US Space Force plans to deploy a network of 24 new terminals by the end of this year.
The US plans to deploy a new ground terminal system , designed to interfere with satellite communications and prevent exposure of the deployment of American troops. These “jammers” could be used in the event of a conflict with Russia or China.
Bloomberg writes about this with reference to a commentary by the US Space Force.
The Pentagon already conducted the first tests of the system earlier this year. During testing, two terminals were used, the operation of which was controlled from a third location.
The Space Force noted that the devices cannot protect American satellites from hostile influence. They are intended only to “responsibly counter” enemy satellite communications.
The Pentagon emphasizes that this technology is purely defense and narrowly targeted. In addition, this weapon does not destroy satellites, but only temporarily disables them, so the United States is positioning it as a “responsible” technology that prevents the formation of space debris.
In total, it is planned to create a network of 24 remote modular terminals. The first 11 of them are planned to be deployed within a few months, but information about their locations has not been disclosed.
These devices to protect US troops from satellite surveillance are deliberately designed to be small and mobile. In addition, the design used commercial off-the-shelf components, making the terminals low-cost devices that can be deployed in any field environment.
According to US Space Command chief Steven Whiting, China has hundreds of satellites in orbit designed to search, locate, track, target and potentially defeat US and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
“So we have to be aware of what this means for our armed forces,” Whiting stressed.
However, according to Victoria Samson, director of space security and stability at the Secure World Foundation, these weapons are not defensive, but rather “designed to attack the capabilities of rivals.”
“You could argue that this would only be used for defensive purposes, but I would say it is an offensive counter-space capability,” Samson stated.
Recall that against the backdrop of intelligence information about Russia’s interest in anti-satellite weapons and satellite launches from China, the United States is preparing for a space war. Defense companies are developing systems that can chase other satellites into orbit.
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