The United States Space Force is developing a new long-term strategy to anticipate and counter adversary capabilities up to 15 years in the future. According to Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, this forward-looking approach will serve as the foundation for all future investments, requirements, and force structure decisions.
Speaking at the annual Air and Space Force Association conference, Gen. Saltzman announced that a foundational document, titled the "Future Operating Environment," will formally outline expected threats and technological advancements to guide the service's development over the next decade and a half.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Space Force is implementing a new strategic planning process looking 5, 10, and 15 years into the future.
- A core document, the "Future Operating Environment," will analyze future threats, required missions, and emerging technologies.
- This analysis will define the service's "objective force," detailing necessary systems, personnel, and support structures.
- Gen. Saltzman emphasized that improving the acquisition of new space systems is a critical warfighting imperative.
- The plan aims to provide clarity to both military planners and industry partners on the Space Force's long-term needs.
A New Framework for Long-Term Planning
The Space Force is shifting its focus toward a more structured, long-term planning cycle to ensure it remains ahead of potential adversaries. Gen. Saltzman explained that this initiative is not just about procuring current systems but about architecting a force prepared for future challenges.
"Delivering today’s systems is critical, but we’re also building the architecture of the future and making sure we’re prepared for what our adversaries might do next," he stated during his address. A dedicated team of strategists is focused on these 5, 10, and 15-year plans to identify key investment areas.
This strategic foresight will be codified in the "Future Operating Environment" document, which Saltzman described as an "authoritative source for requirements planning."
Inside the Future Operating Environment
The new planning document is designed to answer three fundamental questions that will shape the future of the Space Force. Gen. Saltzman detailed these core areas of focus during a discussion with reporters following his speech.
The Three Pillars of the Plan
According to Gen. Saltzman, the strategy will be built by addressing these critical points:
- Missions: What tasks is the Space Force currently responsible for, what will be required in the future, and are there any missions it should no longer perform?
- Threats: What does the threat landscape look like today, and how is it projected to evolve in 5, 10, and 15 years?
- Technology: Which emerging technologies could provide an advantage to the Space Force, and which could be leveraged by adversaries?
By combining intelligence, strategic analysis, and technological forecasting, the document will provide a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities ahead. Gen. Saltzman expressed his intent to publish both unclassified and classified versions to ensure the strategy is widely understood, potentially by the end of the year, though he stressed that accuracy is more important than speed.
Defining the Force of the Future
The ultimate goal of this long-range planning is to create a detailed blueprint for the service's future composition. This blueprint, referred to as the "objective force," will move beyond abstract concepts to provide concrete details.
"[The objective force is] the what, when and how many for space systems, support structures and manpower — all of the elements of a combat-credible force," Gen. Saltzman explained.
This clarity is intended to serve multiple purposes. Internally, it will align mission requirements with resources, ensuring that budget and personnel are directed effectively. Externally, it will send a clear signal to the defense industry about the specific capabilities and technologies the Space Force needs to procure now and in the coming years.
By the Numbers: Space Force Budget
The strategic planning will guide how the Space Force allocates its significant financial resources. The service's fiscal 2025 budget request is nearly $23 billion, which will be used to develop and deliver critical space warfighting capabilities.
Strengthening Acquisition and Industry Partnerships
A major theme of Gen. Saltzman's address was the critical importance of acquisition—the process of developing and buying new systems. He described it not as a back-office function but as a central component of military readiness.
"Acquisitions and sustainment are not just support functions. They’re a war fighting imperative," he asserted. "The time has come for us to focus on enhancing the speed and effectiveness of our deliveries, because if we fall behind, the Joint Force and the nation will feel the consequences."
This focus on acquisition has been a subject of discussion on Capitol Hill. Gen. Saltzman acknowledged engaging with members of Congress, including leaders of the House Armed Services Committee, about the funding, staffing, and training of the service's acquisition workforce.
An Open Door for Innovation
To foster better collaboration with the private sector, the Space Force has relaunched an important industry portal. Previously known as the Space Systems Command's "Front Door," it has been rebranded as the "Space Force Front Door."
This expanded initiative is designed to gather innovative ideas from a wider range of industry partners. "Your concepts are now vetted against the needs of the organizations, beyond just SSC, including all Space Force equities, broader department needs, other government agencies and even allies," Saltzman said. Promising ideas will be connected with the appropriate office to explore their potential mission applications.
