Despite of its name "the Schriever III" space war game, the game was not focused on a military fight in space, game officials said.

"Our focus was how best to use space assets to coordinate the joint terrestrial fight," said Brigadier General Daniel Darnell, game executive director and commander of the Space Warfare Center at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.

In the game, which began Feb. 5 and ran through to Feb. 11, a 350-person team of space professionals battled in a global environment scenario set in the year 2020, the Air Force said in a statement.

Besides officials from about 20 agencies of the US Defense Department, officials from Australia, Canada and Britain were also present in the game, to investigate future space systems, the missions they support, and how to ensure their survivability, a statement said.

The war game aimed to ensure the United States maintained its ultimate high ground - space superiority, Darnell said.

Darnell noted that the game examined the capabilities required to ensure global stability and explored how to build a seamless integration of manned and unmanned space systems, supporting homeland defense and US global and theater interests.

There were very few things in conventional combat today that did not involve space systems, he said. Missile warning, battle-space awareness, precision munitions guidance, navigation and timing, and military satellite communications all critically relied on space support, he said.

"Schriever III is more than a war game - it's a valuable forum that establishes partnerships and fosters innovative thought at the strategic- and operational-levels of war," said General Lance W. Lord, commander of US Air Force Space Command.

Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express