US Space Force preps for satellite jamming battles

In military parlance, the system achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC) last week at at Peterson Air Force Base, in Colorado. The key pictured, said the US Air Force, symbolised “the transfer of responsibility from the space program office to the space operations unit” at Peterson.

The CCS B10.2 is described as a transportable space electronic warfare system that “reversibly denies adversary satellite communications”, which would be used to support deployed armed forces. It was developed in partnership with L3Harris.

“CCS B10.2 represents the end of the traditional way of development,” said Col. Stephen Purdy, the Space and Missile Systems Center Special Programs director. “Future upgrades and enhancements will make use of SMC’s Agile DevSecOps (Development, Security and Operations) approach adapting to the evolving battlefield while delivering capabilities to the warfighter faster and better than our opponents.”

The system had passed a year-long test campaign including developmental and operational test events.

“The Counter Communications System is a transportable satellite communications system that provides a ground-based capability to reversibly deny adversary satellite communications,” said Major Seth Horner, US Space Force Space and Missile Systems Center CCS B10.2 program manager back in January.

“CCS has had incremental upgrades since the early 2000’s, which have incorporated new techniques, frequency bands, technology refreshes, and lessons learned from previous block upgrades. This specific upgrade includes new software capabilities to counter new adversary targets and threats.”

The milestone puts the ‘force’ into Space Force, according to Lt. Col. Steve Brogan, materiel leader of the SMC Special Programs directorate:

“IOC signifies the start of CCS personnel and equipment support to USSPACECOM warfighting requirements for world-wide operations. Achieving IOC for this upgrade puts the ‘force’ in Space Force and is critical to Space as a warfighting domain.”

The Space and Missile Systems Center, located in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, is a subordinate unit of U.S. Space Force. It is intended to be a centre of excellence for developing and sustaining military space systems.

Images: U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Andrew Bertain

(Top) U.S. Air Force – Lt. Col William Sanders, left, 4th Space Control Squadron commander, receives the Counter Communications System Block 10.2 from Lt. Col. Stephen Brogan, right, combat systems branch materiel leader at the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., on March 12 on Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Once handed over, the B10.2 became the first offensive weapon system assigned to the United States Space Force.

(Bottom) Airmen from the 4th Space Control Squadron take a picture in front of the Counter Communications System Block 10.2 on March 12 on Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.