The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has been given responsibility for the country’s military space activities as part of a wider Defence Space Strategy to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Reflecting the growing importance of the space domain to the UK, as illustrated here with a rendering of the Airbus Skynet satellite communications system, the RAF has taken control of the country's military space activities ahead of the publication of a national Defence Space Strategy later in the year..Photo by: Airbus
The RAF’s Air Command has taken on responsibility for command and control (C2) of all UK military space operations, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced on 21 May. This disclosure is part of a wider national space strategy to be unveiled in the summer (third quarter) of this year.
Timed to coincide with the opening of the inaugural Ministry of Defence (MoD)-sponsored Air Power Association Defence Space 2018 conference in London, Williamson’s disclosure on 21 May is a recognition of the UK military's increasing reliance on space systems and technology, and the need to boost the country’s presence and expertise in the domain.
janes.com