The Department of Defense (DoD) is currently developing two new strategies, including the first commercial space integration strategy, to better advance the space and cyber goals at the Pentagon.
During a press briefing on Jan. 17, John F. Plumb, assistant secretary of defense and space policy, discussed the work currently underway to achieve combined space operations.
“We’re also working on a new DoD international space cooperation strategy, which will also help, kind of, further support this need to help allies and partners and to work together,” stated Plumb.
“And my team is also working on this first commercial space integration strategy I’ve talked about in the past, to more effectively leverage the commercial space sector’s innovation and speed throughout the spectrum of conflict,” added Plumb.
This comes as the Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks recently signed a memo that “removes legacy classification barriers that have inhibited our ability to collaborate across the U.S. government and also with allies on issues related to space,” according to Plumb.
The Space Force is also planning to release its own commercial strategy, but Plumb said that the two “are working together to develop these two documents,” which will complement one another.
“I would say we’re hoping that they will be released in the near future as we kind of push them up through the building and get approval for the most senior folks,” he said. “But a secretary document, a little more strategic focused for the entire department looking out. I think that the Space Force document, a little bit more focused towards acquisition. And I actually think the way we’ve been developing them together is going to be a nice combination.”
Other noteworthy work being done in the realm of space at the DoD includes a series of three different areas that Plum called the “three Cs priorities.” These include space control, space cooperation, and space classification.
Additionally, the Pentagon is continuing its work to revamp its cyber force into Cyber Force 2.0 – aligning with similar calls from Congress for an independent U.S. Cyber Force.
“We’re developing options for the secretary of defense that will be informed by multiple independent studies, many of which have been requested through the Congress, and we’ll also be developing those options in coordination with the COCOMs and the services,” Plumb said.
