US unveils new satellite-jamming technology targeting Russian, Chinese ops

The United States is set to deploy a new ground-based jamming system designed to prevent Chinese and Russian satellites from gathering information on US military activities during conflicts.

The system was tested earlier this year at two sites, with control managed from a third location, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media with reference to the US Space Force.

Unlike technology aimed at protecting US satellites from enemy interference, this system is intended to counter adversary satellite communication capabilities that could enable attacks, the Space Force stated.

The Pentagon's Space Force is emphasizing that this new jamming technology is defensive and narrowly targeted. This stands in contrast to Russia's development of a nuclear weapon capable of creating high-altitude electromagnetic pulses to disrupt satellite communications, a capability the US has criticized.

The first batch of 11 out of 24 Remote Modular Terminal jammers is expected to be deployed within a few months, with the goal of having all units operational by December 31 at undisclosed locations. These jammers are described as compact, transportable, and cost-effective, designed to be used in challenging environments to safeguard US forces. They complement existing systems like the Counter Communications System and the Meadowlands jamming technology, which has faced delays.

General Stephen Whiting, head of US Space Command, highlighted the need for these systems, noting China's extensive satellite network aimed at monitoring and potentially targeting US and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region. The Space Force's new terminals were developed with commercial off-the-shelf components and are intended to temporarily disable, rather than destroy enemy satellites.

While the Space Force describes these capabilities as responsible and reversible, some experts view them as offensive counter-space tools. Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation noted that while these jammers are designed for temporary and reversible impacts, they still represent a form of offensive counter-space capability.