Directed Energy Weapons (DEW): DEW use directed energy to disrupt, damage, or destroy enemy equip-

ment and facilities. 20 These weapons, which can have effects ranging from temporary to permanent, include

lasers, high-power microwaves, and other types of radiofrequency weapons. It can be difficult to attribute

the origin of a DEW attack, depending on the type.

space-based capabilities provide integral support to military, commercial, and civilian applications.

Longstanding technological and cost barriers to space are falling, enabling more countries and commercial

firms to participate in satellite construction, space launch, space exploration, and human spaceflight.

Although these advancements are creating new opportunities, new risks for space-enabled services

have emerged. Having seen the benefits of space-enabled operations, some foreign governments are

developing capabilities that threaten others’ ability to use space. China and Russia, in particular, have

taken steps to challenge the United States:

• Chinese and Russian military doctrines indicate that they view space as important to modern warfare

and view counterspace capabilities as a means to reduce U.S. and allied military effectiveness. Both

reorganized their militaries in 2015, emphasizing the importance of space operations.

• Both have developed robust and capable space services, including space-based intelligence,

surveillance, and reconnaissance. Moreover, they are making improvements to existing systems,

including space launch vehicles and satellite navigation constellations. These capabilities provide

their militaries with the ability to command and control their forces worldwide and also with

enhanced situational awareness, enabling them to monitor, track, and target U.S. and allied forces.

• Chinese and Russian space surveillance networks are capable of searching, tracking, and

characterizing satellites in all earth orbits. This capability supports both space operations and

counterspace systems.

• Both states are developing jamming and cyberspace capabilities, directed energy weapons, on-orbit

capabilities, and ground-based antisatellite missiles that can achieve a range of reversible to

nonreversible effects.

https://www.dia.mil/Portals/27/Documents/News/Military%20Power%20Publications/Space_Threat_V14_020119_sm.pdf