{"id":35460,"date":"2022-08-30T18:38:52","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T18:38:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2022\/08\/30\/russia-and-chinas-space-weapon-plans-spur-high-level-pentagon-meeting\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:41:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:41:22","slug":"russia-and-chinas-space-weapon-plans-spur-high-level-pentagon-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/space\/2022\/08\/30\/russia-and-chinas-space-weapon-plans-spur-high-level-pentagon-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia and China\u2019s space weapon plans spur high-level Pentagon meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2015 Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will hold a classified meeting at the Pentagon next week to grapple with Russia<\/a> and China<\/a>\u2019s possible pursuit of novel space weapons, according to a publicly posted agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion comes after two key events last year: Russia launched <\/a>a missile to destroy a defunct Soviet-era satellite, creating more than 1,500 pieces of space debris, and defense officials say China tested<\/a> a new combination of a hypersonic glide vehicle and a fractional orbital bombardment system \u2015 an unpredictable capability that can stay on orbit as long as the user determines and then de-orbit as part of its flight path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the chief of U.S. Strategic Command, Adm. Charles Richard<\/a>, China successfully tested that capability, which was \u201cnever before seen in the world.\u201d Richard, speaking at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium earlier this month, said the military must now overhaul its missile defenses and develop systems to better warn against launches aimed at the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am not convinced at all we\u2019ve fully thought through the implications of what that weapon system means,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna get decreased warning timelines, difficulties in attribution and an increased threat to our traditional space and missile defenses and forces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Austin, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks<\/a> and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl<\/a> will meet Sept. 6 and 7 with the Defense Policy Board, an influential advisory group comprised of former national security officials. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb will brief the board on the Pentagon\u2019s upcoming space strategic review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The huddle will focus \u201con how China and Russia\u2019s potential development of fractional orbital bombardment systems and space-to-ground weapons could impact U.S. deterrence and strategic stability, as well as to consider U.S. response options to the potential development of such capabilities by any adversary,\u201d the agenda says.<\/p>\n\n\n\t