Thread by @oneguynick

Those of you fascinated by the SR71 spy plane know that its retirement is considered part of space assets' proliferation. I found it interesting how @SenMarkKelly's question was answered about space capabilities and C2 during the United States Indo-Pacific Command hearing. (1/8)

I will post the video below, but here is the extract of the back and forth w/@INDOPACOM's Admiral Davidson:

Q: in Jan 2007, China conducted an anti-satellite test against one of their own non-operational weather satellites, with a kinetic kill vehicle.

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A: We have to build resiliency into our space apparatus that happens with other space assets. It happens with creating airborne and other terrestrial alternatives to fulfil that. And it changes the calculus in space as well.

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The part the stood out for me "other terrestrial alternatives" from Admiral Davidson. We are coming full circle with air breathers coming back into a more prominent position. Shooting down a sat is actually not hard for Russia & China.

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Given that SAM and RADAR tech has progressed a ton since the SR71, it can only make your mind ponder what the "terrestrial" asset is here. Public knowledge of the USAF/CIA drone fleet seems unlikely to be referred to here. They are too easy to shoot down and track.

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The U2 and other manned platforms are also too risky to fly over these AOR. So what then? There have long been rumours of the Aurora platform and also the oddball X-37b, which no one really knows does. What is out there filling that gap we know have in the inventory?

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I am no longer in the C4ISR (or is it C5?) world, but I found the comment telling. Our lead in the non-terrestrial domain is at risk, and we find ourselves back on earth. I can only imagine what is flying above us as I type this! It will be decades before we know for sure.

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I recommend you watch the whole exchange between @SenMarkKelly and @INDOPACOM which starts at 2:13:31 with this video:

armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/21-03…

Thanks to @JenBriney from Congressional Dish for calling my attention to the exact exchange.

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#isr #sr71 #spyplanes #usaf