• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Air Force tests next-generation technology

Posted on: Thursday, 20 February 2003, 06:00 CST

source: Associated Press

By CATHERINE TSAI - Associated Press Writer

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AP) - The Air Force began a war game Thursday to test space-based technology such as satellite-based trackers that could sense when tanks on the ground are moving.

The eight-day Schriever II space war game pits two enemy ''red'' forces against two friendly ''blue'' forces in the year 2017, much like Schriever's first space war game in January 2001. One blue team will have more space capabilities than the other.

About 300 civilian and military experts arrived Thursday for the exercise. The game ends Feb. 27 with a look at lessons learned.

About 30 other agencies, including the Army, NASA and the federal Transportation Department, are involved in the game unfolding on three floors of the Space Warfare Center.

Commercial interests are playing a bigger part in these games than the 2001 exercises, and some companies' chief executive officers will be players. Their involvement reflects the growth of civil and commercial interests in space.

Littleton-based EchoStar, Thornton-based Space Imaging and DigitalGlobe in Longmont all have satellites in space.

Air Force officials say defending commercial, military and civil satellites that provide communication and navigation or that guide bombs will be critical.

''Satellites are used even more than the public understands. Satellites are used to support almost everything we do,'' Maj. John Wagner said. ''It's not just about defending assets but how do we further enhance our terrestrial capabilities.''

Officials plan to see how America's space capabilities can help deter conflicts, and what laws are needed to support space efforts.

The first space war game in 2001 showed that debates over policy took attention away from testing capabilities in space.

Air Force officials said other lessons from the earlier games and details of what will be tested in the new games are classified.

''We'll look at what it takes to maintain space superiority,'' said Brig. Gen. Douglas Fraser.

One are to be tested is the importance of space radar, Wagner said.

The technology, expected to be fielded as early as 2010, could provide high-resolution, three-dimensional radar mapping around the clock to identify targets and distinguish friend from foe. It would be used in areas where access on the ground is denied.

''We can't test them for real, because none of these technologies are in the field yet. The best we can do is test with experts who can best replicate the effect,'' said Capt. Sean McKenna, Air Force Space Command spokesman.

Test results will help frame development of the technology so taxpayer money is spent effectively, Wagner said.

The Air Force would not say whether concepts like the so-called e-bomb will be tested during the space war game. The e-bomb emits electromagnetic pulses that could fry anything from home electronics to circuitry on missile systems. It has not been used on any battlefield.

McKenna did not expect the next-generation technology to be used in a potential war with Iraq, since most will not be ready for at least seven years.

''Our systems today are very capable, but we're always looking to push the envelope,'' he said.

More science, space, and technology from RedNova

Copyright © 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

More News in this Category