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From the article

>Greg Spanjers, program manager for rocket cargo at AFRL, said the military envisions a future when it could be cheaper to send cargo via rocket than by transport aircraft. In a national security or humanitarian crisis, a launch vehicle would fly from Cape Canaveral, for example, and either land on an austere field to deliver cargo or airdrop it.
>
>For the rocket cargo program to be viable, Spanjers said, DoD expects to use launch providers that fly frequently so they can offer competitive pricing. “To make this a success, we need a very high launch rate, and we need to have systems that reenter and that can bring a high down mass,” he added.

Also from the article

>If rocket cargo moves forward and the technology matures, the Space Force would take the lead in managing the program and procuring services, he said. “We’re already starting to actively plan for a program standup in the 2026 timeframe.”

Lastly from the article

>Horne said the military is “going to need that infrastructure on orbit, not just for cargo, storage and movement, but for a lot of other applications. We’re gonna need gas tanks in the future. We may even have places where we are manufacturing things,” he added. “We’re going to find military-unique ways to use that from a national security perspective.”

Or we could stop lining Elon Musk's pockets with taxpayer's money...

The following submission statement was provided by /u/Gari_305:

From the article

>Greg Spanjers, program manager for rocket cargo at AFRL, said the military envisions a future when it could be cheaper to send cargo via rocket than by transport aircraft. In a national security or humanitarian crisis, a launch vehicle would fly from Cape Canaveral, for example, and either land on an austere field to deliver cargo or airdrop it.
>
>For the rocket cargo program to be viable, Spanjers said, DoD expects to use launch providers that fly frequently so they can offer competitive pricing. “To make this a success, we need a very high launch rate, and we need to have systems that reenter and that can bring a high down mass,” he added.

Also from the article

>If rocket cargo moves forward and the technology matures, the Space Force would take the lead in managing the program and procuring services, he said. “We’re already starting to actively plan for a program standup in the 2026 timeframe.”

Lastly from the article

>Horne said the military is “going to need that infrastructure on orbit, not just for cargo, storage and movement, but for a lot of other applications. We’re gonna need gas tanks in the future. We may even have places where we are manufacturing things,” he added. “We’re going to find military-unique ways to use that from a national security perspective.”

Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/11azkir/the_future_of_starship_includes_national_security/j9uzsq2/

What is the point to this? Will the worlds defensive capabilities be solely controlled by independent contractors? Will the threats to expand on its use also be manufactured by independent contractors? One contractor saying they will expand on its missile capabilities. while another will say we need more defensive space platforms?

Or what ? give it to Northrop Grumman Lockheed Martin ULA blue origin . The military is gonna military with your taxpayer dollars weather you like it or not

I wonder how it will do when being shot at? My guess is not well.

It does raise quite a lot of questions. I believe Washington and SpaceX would have to announce every launch and keep our nuclear rivals abreast of whenever they launch… these things are basically ICBMs without the payload, but I’d bet everyone else will be suspicious of every one of them.

Definitely an escalation in the weaponization of space.

Otherwise I see why they’re drooling over this capability. Imagine deploying orbital troops or vehicles to anywhere in the world in 30 minutes.

"Rods from God" kinetic orbital bombardment.. soo many launches for Starlink could definitely sneak a few tungston telephone poles up there.

>Greg Spanjers, program manager for rocket cargo at AFRL, said the military envisions a future when it could be cheaper to send cargo via rocket than by transport aircraft. In a national security or humanitarian crisis, a launch vehicle would fly from Cape Canaveral, for example, and either land on an austere field to deliver cargo or airdrop it.

Seriously, why is this still being pushed? This simply makes no sense from any realistic perspective. Common Sense Skeptic made a quick teardown/debunking explaining this:

https://youtu.be/35AmcnpGVkk

But honestly this should be self-evident. It's simply impractical and a waste of money and resources.

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Don't contractors make all military gear?

they already are - Boeing Lockheed etc...

Space X was always about being a military operation.

I didn't think of that! What are yoyr thoughts on counter measures? Will there be permits to fly over you?

I would guess that anti-sat missiles and anti-air missiles once it gets close enough could work. Not an expert though. Don’t think you can regulate space - there’s satellites from all sorts of countries always flying over, I don’t think this would be any different. There’s also been plenty of missile tests done by various countries, they just let each other know what’s up.

This is ridiculous. Starship is too complex and expensive a system to ever do what is contemplated, if it ever even works, which I doubt (see Soviet N1 history). Sad we have a media that consists of clickbait shills.

I have news for you: EVERY aerospace company is a military company... Obviously to a greater or lesser extent depending on the company. It's basically impossible to find one without a DOD contract

It's always been about going to Mars. Going to Mars and putting military things in space are a lot like eachother, so might as well make some cash on the side

Next month is an orbital flight test, so then we'll see

Jet cargo planes are more complex. As long as you are building a lot of them, Starship could be cheaper.

Yes for the most part they do. But each countries military have places that these things made for them are tested and here is where the problem of the money comes in. Approve our Plane, Tank, weapon and we will slip you some Cash, stock, perk. First the contracts are looked over and then a company or two are awarded the contract. Mabie they are looked over and Mabie not. I haven't had any contacts in that area for over 40 years. Then a prototype or two are made and tested. For Tanks and cannons it is at Aberdine Proving ground for missiles it is at Vandenberg space flight center. Hey Give this one a good review and we will compensate you. How else do the Government employees make enough money to have three houses some in other countries and a fat bank balance in several different Banks. Oh I am a simple Full bird col. that makes 200k a year but have three houses worth over 100 mil. Or the congress man that makes 15ok a year but is worth 500mil. And its not just in the U.S,A. that this is going on.

We all know it's wrong, we all know things need to change but we don't care to put the effort in so it's cool. Ffs selfishness, greed, and apathy is why we're in this position in the first place.

Organize, strike, demand change for and in ourselves and our systems of government.