Overview
- Vice Chief Gen. Shawn Bratton said the service likely needs to double in size within 5–10 years and grow by roughly 1,000 guardians per year.
- The Space Warfighting Analysis Center is leading a 15‑year Objective Force study due this year to define capabilities and structure through 2040.
- Planning for cislunar operations is being elevated, with AFRL’s Oracle and NGA lunar mapping efforts providing the basis for domain awareness and navigation.
- Debates over dynamic space operations continue as four refueling and servicing demos set for this year inform policy while Bratton questions wartime advantages of refueling.
- Leaders anticipate increased FY27 resources and are preparing by expanding acquisition portfolios, naming new PAE heads, and standing up more service components within combatant commands including Space Forces–Southern.