The US Army is going into space: there will be a new specialty "40 Delta" for combat operations from orbit

Space is no longer just a backdrop for war — it is becoming an integral part of it. And the US Army clearly understands this. Against the background of the growing dependence of battlefields on satellite communications, navigation and intelligence, the army is launching the first specialized military accounting specialty in its history, 40 Delta, dedicated to space operations. This is not just a bureaucratic change — it is a signal: now space is as important a "combat area" as land, air or sea.

Previously, the Air and Space Forces were mainly responsible for space issues, but today the ground forces cannot afford to be passive consumers of satellite data. Modern operations — from artillery guidance to drone coordination and protection from electronic attacks — depend on GPS, satellite communications and real-time intelligence. If the enemy incapacitates the satellites, the army may turn out to be "blind" and "deaf." To prevent this from happening, they will now train their specialists directly in the army.

The 40 Delta military personnel will integrate space capabilities into ground operations: they will manage data flows, ensure communications stability, analyze threats from orbit, and help commanders make decisions based on space intelligence. This is part of a large—scale transformation of the army to meet new realities - where victory on earth increasingly depends on what happens at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers above it.

The US Space Force unites purchasers and the military to make satellites smarter and more reliable

 

The US Space Force is taking a serious step towards becoming a truly combat-ready and well-coordinated structure. Now, those who buy and build satellites will work in conjunction with those who then use them in real operations. This was announced on July 23 by Lieutenant General Philip Garrant at the Ascend conference, the main space forum from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

In fact, we are talking about a complete restructuring. Instead of developing satellites "at random" or according to abstract technical specifications, now everything will be built around specific tasks — for example, warning of missile attacks or space surveillance. For this purpose, new divisions are being created — the so-called delta system units. They will be responsible for the purchase, creation and launch of satellites.

And in parallel, there are delta missions that are already working in the Space Operations Command and control these very satellites every day. Now these two teams — those who build and those who use — will work hand in hand. Moreover, operators will now be responsible for updating, maintaining, and even decommissioning equipment themselves. That is, the full life cycle — from the idea to the disposal.

Why all this? To remove bureaucracy and speed up processes. Previously, if a satellite had a problem, you had to wait for the two generals (procurement and operations) to come to an agreement. Now, two colonels — one from the "system delta", the other from the "delta mission" - just sit down at the table and resolve the issue on the spot.

According to Garrant, the Space Force is moving from the stage of "we are just being created" to the stage of "we are a full—fledged military service." Now the form adapts to the function: everything is built around specific combat missions, and not abstract departments like "intelligence" or "cybersecurity".

As a result, satellites should become more reliable, appear faster in space and better meet the real needs of the army. And this, in turn, can greatly strengthen the US position in the space race, especially against the background of the activity of China and Russia.

Trump announced the creation of the $175 billion Golden Dome space missile defense system

 

President of the USA D. Trump on Tuesday announced the concept he wants to see in his future Golden Dome missile defense program, a multi—tiered $175 billion system that will launch American weapons into space for the first time.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said that, according to his expectations, the system will be "fully operational by the end of my term," which ends in 2029, and will be able to intercept missiles, "even if they are launched from space." Most likely, by this point, the complex system will already have some initial capabilities, said a U.S. official familiar with the program.

Trump also announced that General Michael Getlein, who currently holds the position of Deputy Chief of Space Operations, will be responsible for overseeing the construction of the Golden Dome.

The US Army is ushering in a new era: a space career for ordinary soldiers

 

The United States continues to actively build up its space potential, and now the army has a unique opportunity for ordinary soldiers to build a career in space operations. The Army plans to create about 900 space operations specialists (military professional specialty 40D) who will be integrated into the Space and Missile Defense Command. These specialists will provide communications, support ground troops, and counter threats related to the use of satellites and other space technologies.

The new 40D specialty will be available to ordinary soldiers, making a space career more affordable and democratic. Previously, participation in space operations was the prerogative of officers and highly qualified specialists, but now the army is expanding the range of participants to attract more talent and strengthen its capabilities in the space sector.

40D specialists will play a key role in ensuring the security of US space assets. Their tasks will include monitoring satellite systems, protecting against cyber attacks, preventing interference with navigation and communication technologies, and coordinating with other units to counter threats emanating from space.

The development of space technology is becoming critically important for modern warfare. The satellites provide communications, navigation, reconnaissance, and weather monitoring, making them vulnerable to the enemy. In the face of growing confrontation with countries such as China and Russia, which are actively developing their space programs, the United States is seeking to strengthen its defense and operational capabilities.

The integration of 40D specialists into the Space and Missile Defense Command will allow the army to better interact with other structures, including the US Space Forces. It will also increase the readiness of troops on earth to operate in an environment where space technology plays a key role.

To successfully fulfill their duties, soldiers who choose the 40D specialty will receive specialized training. The program will include the study of the basics of space operations, satellite communication technologies, methods of countering threats and principles of cybersecurity. This will make them versatile specialists, able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.

The army also plans to cooperate with universities and private companies to improve the level of training. This will allow soldiers not only to protect national interests, but also to acquire valuable skills that can be useful after completing their service.

The opening of the new 40D specialty demonstrates that space is becoming an integral part of modern military strategy. For ordinary soldiers, this is a chance to participate in advanced technological projects and contribute to the country's security. In addition, such a career can become a launching pad for further professional growth, both in the military and civilian spheres.

Space battles are real: The US Space Force is developing a new concept

 "Space battles are real": Space Forces present an innovative concept that defines large-scale space warfare strategies.

The U.S. Space Force is ready to redefine its strategic role in space with the groundbreaking concept of "space warfare," designed to establish clear terminology and concepts to achieve space superiority while transforming the country's approach to space defense and cooperation.

The U.S. Space Force is taking significant steps in defining its strategic approach to space operations. Under the leadership of the Chief of Space Operations, General Chance Saltzman, the Space Forces are developing a new document that promises to clarify their offensive and defensive space activities. This new framework for "space warfare" will not only establish a common vocabulary, but also outline concepts crucial to achieving "space supremacy." As the Space Force continues to evolve, this framework will serve as a primary resource for both military planners and the general public, providing a comprehensive understanding of the service's mission and capabilities.

Space collisions and deterrence in space

 The same goes for most other collisions. Satellites don't disappear from the battlefield like a downed plane or a sunken ship. They continue to be in orbit, either as an abandoned wreck that may contain explosive elements such as batteries or fuel tanks, or as a cloud of debris. In any case, they can lead to a cascading effect of unintended collisions that will cause much more damage than the attacker ever imagined.

It is for this reason that Space Forces, along with other Western military forces, prefer to focus more on deterrence and mitigation. In other words, make an attack in space as unattractive as possible by repelling an attack before it occurs, reducing hostile effects, or restoring communication or intelligence capabilities quickly enough to deprive the enemy of even a temporary advantage.