Monday, August 24, 2020
What is it?
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is the Army’s proponent for space, missile defense and high-altitude capabilities. An operational level Army force, SMDC organizes, trains, equips, and deploys Army space and global missile defense forces. Army space and missile defense personnel and units conduct worldwide operations in support of the joint force and as directed by the National Command Authority.
What are the current and past efforts of the Army?
Space is ingrained into every aspect of Army ground operations, and from weapons to maneuver forces, space plays a crucial role. On Aug. 21 2020, a formal uncasing ceremony publicly announced SMDC’s role as the Army Service Component Command (ASCC) to U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM).
This designation of SMDC as an ASCC to USSPACECOM, in addition to its existing status as the ASCC to U.S. Strategic Command helps the Army’s highly skilled space forces to:
What continued efforts does the Army have planned?
The Army will continue to maintain and invest in space capabilities designed to support Army operations. This effort will help to:
The Army’s space expertise includes military and civilian personnel across all components organic to Army warfighting organizations. These personnel operate systems which provide the Department of Defense and the joint force:
Why is this important to the Army?
Freedom of action and lethality on today’s battlefield are tied to space capabilities. The Army as the largest user, of space capabilities in the DOD, leverages those capabilities to dominate at echelon, from competition to conflict.
Space enhances the force’s ability to shoot, move and communicate across the range of military operations. Ground formations and critical equipment rely on space capabilities to be most lethal and effective Army in the world.
Resources:
Related document:
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As the Army shifts focus from low-intensity conflict toward large-scale combat operations in a complex operational environment, integrated space-based capabilities and Army space professionals have never been more important to our success on future battlefields.
— Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command
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