If the previous news discussed MAPS GEN II which is able to navigate various military vehicles without having to rely on satellites, this is a follow-up to the threat of future electronic warfare which is starting to target space – with satellites as one of its vital targets.
In recent years, the focus of global military discussions has shifted dramatically from the traditional battlefields of land, sea, and air to a fifth, highly strategic domain: space. At the heart of this debate lies the development and refinement of Anti-Satellite (ASAT) technology.
This evolution reflects the recognition that disabling satellite functionality without physically destroying it is a smarter strategy, de-escalating the situation, and minimizing mutually assured destruction in the space domain.
- Space is the ultimate high ground critical to Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. Satellites provide Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services through Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS, encrypted high-frequency communications, and persistent surveillance through Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) satellites. Any disruption to these services would create an Operational Blackout that cripples Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs) and Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) capabilities.
Non-kinetic ASATs fundamentally operate in the realm of Electronic Warfare (EW) or Electronic Counterspace. Their primary classification includes jamming and spoofing. The development of ground-based jammers (GBJs) has become a top priority. Countries such as Russia are reportedly using the Tirada-2 system or similar platforms to target Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. The advantages of GBJs are their mobility, fast reaction time, and the difficulty for adversaries to track the jamming source in real time.
The most advanced category of non-kinetic ASAT weapons is the Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), specifically the Anti-Satellite Laser. High-powered lasers can be fired from land, sea, or air platforms to cause temporary or permanent damage to satellites. Temporary damage, or dazzling, occurs when laser energy temporarily blinds the optical sensors (Electro-Optical/InfraRed – EO/IR) on a reconnaissance satellite. Very high-powered lasers can cause permanent damage to a satellite's solar panels or attitude control systems.
- Several countries, particularly China, are developing Co-Orbital ASAT capabilities. This involves placing maneuverable service or inspection satellites near enemy assets. These satellites are often equipped with robotic arms or focused signal jamming devices that offer dual-use capabilities.
Three major powers—the United States, Russia, and China—are leading the ASAT race. The US is focused on Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Resilience through a distributed and disaggregated satellite network. Russia is emphasizing mature ground-based EW systems. Meanwhile, China is investing holistically across all ASAT categories: kinetic, co-orbital, EW, and laser. Their strategy is grounded in counter-denial principles and the ability to project power in the space domain.
The future of electronic warfare and ASAT will be determined by electromagnetic spectrum sovereignty. Militaries will continue to develop integrated ASAT systems that combine EW, cyber, and co-orbital capabilities to create Multi-Domain Operations.
The technical discussion shifts to quantum communications and hypersonics in orbit as assets that are more difficult to target with current ASAT systems. For the military, space is no longer just a support domain; it is the Warfighting Domain, where the real electronic warfare will begin.
- GlobalNews...