Chilton: More ready-to-launch satellites needed

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Chilton offers blunt assessment
StratCom boss: Too much focus on next-gen systems


Chilton: More ready-to-launch satellites needed
By John T. Bennett - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 21:07:24 EST

OMAHA, Neb. — U.S. Strategic Command chief Gen. Kevin Chilton said Nov. 3 he would give up new, state-of-the-art space systems to swell the number of satellites the military could launch as needs arise.

The U.S military’s space community has become focused on managing programs and budgets “to capability gaps” rather than ensuring there are ample space systems “in the barn” ready to be placed on orbit, Chilton said in a speech that at moments was critical of the military’s space community’s recent performance.

“Space capabilities are more important” to the U.S. military and “our everyday way of life than they were 10 years ago, but we have fallen into a mind-set of gap management,” Chilton said during a Space Foundation-sponsored conference.

That means the military is focused on developing next-generation systems but has no bullpen stocked with GPS, advanced communications, missile early warning satellites, and others that are ready to be put in orbit should the need arise. And if it did, Chilton said, getting an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle to take one into space would take “up to two years.”

During a later roundtable with reporters, Chilton stressed “we do not face any immediate capability gaps.” But he wants to fix things so his space lieutenants “don’t have to squeeze every ounce of juice out of every turnip.”


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/11/defense_chilton_space_110309/