Space is a contested environment, and the United States must deploy new tools, new capabilities and the right leadership to ensure dominance in that environment , Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said recently.
The deputy secretary spoke Aug. 27 to airmen, civilians and contractors at Los Angeles Air Force Base's Space and Missile Systems Center in El Segundo, California. The SMC, a subordinate unit of Air Force Space Command, is the center of technical excellence for developing, acquiring, fielding and sustaining military space systems.
“We've got a president who says space is no longer a sanctuary,” he added. “We need to defend our economy. We need to put in place the authorities and the capabilities [in space] to protect our way of life — period.”
Shanahan said in his corporate experience, he's been through a transformation similar to what SMC is undertaking. “The first law of transformation is, do no harm. Our missions are too important. That doesn't mean we don't take calculated risks or we don't move quickly,” he said.
“But, from the Pentagon's standpoint we're not going to do harm, and that's why I wanted to come out here and spend some time with you,” the deputy secretary added.
During the course of the next year, a lot of changes will take place in terms of technology, roles…
