The US Space Force has started operating a new offensive weapon system: an upgraded version of the ground-based satellite communications jamming system used to block adversary satellite transmissions.
The so-called Counter Communications System (CCS) was introduced in the US Air Force in 2004. The updated version, called CCS Block 10.2, reached initial operational capability on March 9 and is now operated by the Space Force.
SMC’s CCS B10.2 is putting the “Force” in Space Force reaching IOC, Monday, March 9th, marking the first offensive weapon system assigned to the @SpaceForceDoD. A ceremony is scheduled on March 12th @PeteAFB to commemorate this historic event. (Courtesy Photo by @L3HarrisTech) pic.twitter.com/EoH9nxkfQ8
— SMC (@AF_SMC) March 11, 2020
”CCS is the only offensive system in the United States Space Force arsenal,” Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brogan, the Combat Systems branch materiel leader within the Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center’s Special Programs Directorate, is quoted as saying in January by the Drive. “This upgrade puts the ‘force’ in Space Force and is critical for Space as a warfighting domain.”
The Space Force was established last December as the space warfare branch of the US Armed Forces, and is part of the Department of the Air Force.
The system has gone through several iterations.
“CCS has had incremental upgrades since the early 2000s, which have incorporated new techniques, frequency bands, technology refreshes and lessons learned from previous block upgrades,” Major Seth Horner, the CCS B10.2 Program Manager, said in January. “This specific upgrade includes new software capabilities to counter new adversary targets and threats.”
While the Block 10.1 version introduced in 2014 consisted of seven systems, the Block 10.2 version will be made up of 16 systems, the Drive reported.
Although details on exactly how the CCS functions aren’t clear, it is believed to be a jamming system that stops transmissions from adversary communication satellites. The Drive reports that “the various versions of the system all include a number of trailer-mounted dishes and associated equipment.”
The latest upgrade was completed by L3Harris Technologies, an American technology company and defense contractor.
During a March 4 House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing, Space Force Vice Commander Lieutenant General David Thompson told lawmakers the new branch was working on developing technologies “to protect and defend” America.
“We began prototyping and demonstrating and preparing for what I’ll call abilities to protect and defend our assets, and we did that extensively in the budget in [fiscal year 2020],” he said. “In [fiscal year 2021], we are now taking steps to extend that across the fleet, as well as look at other capabilities to be able to continue to defend those assets that we have and defend adversary use of space.”