Whiting also highlighted longstanding challenges around tying together the sensors that collect and process information, the C2 systems that analyze it, and the “effectors” that act on that intelligence. Combined, that string of systems makes up what’s called a “space kill chain,” and the Space Force has been focused on closing gaps in key parts of that architecture—many of them classified—for the past few years.

“We really need the acquisition organizations in the services who are delivering space domain awareness sensors, command and control systems, and effectors to work horizontally to make sure that we’re closing the kill chain by providing the space domain awareness target-quality track that the command and control systems and the effectors require to be effective,” he said. “We must be able to reach across all of these vertical program offices to make sure they deliver as an intact kill chain.”