The US Space Force conducted the first test of a ground-based warfare system to protect military forces against ‘space-enabled’ attacks – as Russia and China aim to put nukes in space . The device, which looks like a satellite dish, was designed to jam orbiting satellite communication by overloading the airwaves with competing signals. Known as the Remote Modular Terminal (RMT), the device is touted as being low-cost and remotely operated, ‘keeping Guardians out of harm’s way.’
Space Force announced the test this week, noting it is the first time the system has been fielded at two geographically separated locations and controlled from a third, emphasizing its operational flexibility. The weapon comes as Russia voted down a United Nations resolution calling on all nations to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space and China abstained from voting. U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Gerrit Dalman said: ‘This event demonstrates the Service’s new vision for integrated developmental and operational test to provide more relevant capabilities to Guardians faster.
‘Specifically, this capability will unlock the scale to provide counterspace electronic warfare capability to all of the new Space Force components globally.’ If an enemy satellite were targeting US troops or facilities on the ground, one or more RMTs would emit signals in a certain range of the electromagnetic spectrum to confuse and distort the signals being sent to or from the satellite. Simply put, the airwaves would be too clogged with nonsense for enemies’ satellites to make anything out.