In Episode 71 of the Aerospace Advantage, Space as a Warfighting Domain: Discussion with Gen (ret) Kevin Chilton, host John “Slick” Baum speaks with Mitchell Institute’s Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (ret) about the realities of modern military operations in space. While the U.S. did not instigate or favor turning space into a warfighting domain, our adversaries pressed in that direction. We must now respond. This means developing a range of terrestrial and space-based defensive and offensive options to deter and, if necessary, defeat attacks. We must also hold our adversaries’ space capabilities at equal risk. This mirrors what we have in every other domain. We wouldn’t send planes, ships, or soldiers into harm’s way without the ability to defend themselves or attack an opposing force, but these are the realities facing America’s assets in space today. We will know when we are making progress in this area when we pursue operational concepts, strategies, and technologies that embrace both offensive and defensive capabilities, integrate space with the other warfighting domains to allow for combined combat actions, and train Guardians not just as technical experts, but warfighters. As an astronaut and past commander of Air Force Space Command and STRATCOM, Gen Chilton has particularly unique insights into these issues.

Credits:

Host: Lt Col (Ret.) John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Gen (Ret.) Kevin Chilton, Explorer Chair, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

Links Related to This Event

Host

Credits