Air Force Secretary discusses SpaceX's role in national security amidst growing dominance
U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall commented on SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's decision to withhold Starlink satellite service to Ukraine during a surprise attack on Russian forces last year, stating that SpaceX made unilateral decisions as they were not under contract with the U.S. government at the time. However, the Pentagon now has a contract with SpaceX for Starlink services in Ukraine. Kendall emphasized the growing importance of space as a contested domain and the need for collaboration between the government and commercial space sector. He also discussed the military's concerns about China's military buildup efforts and the need to counter potential threats. The Air Force is focusing on next-generation technological threats, including the development of a sixth-generation fighter jet and incorporating artificial intelligence applications, while emphasizing the importance of defense policy and funding for military modernization.
