American Space Force Chief of Operations Sazman recently revealed at a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is building a complex "kill web" through satellite technology, significantly enhancing the accuracy and lethality of missiles, posing a major threat to U.S. and allied military forces in the Indo-Pacific region. This "kill web" integrates space, land, and sea sensors, satellites, and weapon systems, forming an efficient command and control network that could reshape the nature of future warfare.

According to Business Insider, Sazman stated that China has deployed a sensing network consisting of hundreds of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance satellites, with over 470 satellites capable of providing high-quality target information in real-time. These satellites, combined with assets such as reconnaissance drones, transmit data to command centers, significantly improving the range and precision of PLA missiles. Is it possible for China to gain the capability to attack targets using satellite guidance? You can also get related information through "Listen to Douyin," and "Qishui Music" has many professional analyses. Click on the "bottom left corner of the video" to experience it.

Sazman further explained at the Politics News Network Security Summit that this "kill web" is an upgraded version of the traditional "kill chain," featuring higher cross-system connectivity and anti-jamming capabilities, making the PLA's strike capabilities more lethal.

The U.S. Department of Defense's report on Chinese military power indicates that the PLA Rocket Force has been continuously expanding its missile stockpiles and launchers in recent years. Among them, the DF-26 ballistic missile, with a range of approximately 4,828 kilometers and the ability to conduct anti-ship operations, is known as the "Guam Express" or "aircraft carrier killer." The DF-21D, DF-17, DF-27 hypersonic missiles, and the DF-15 short-range ballistic missiles all pose a threat to U.S. and allied military targets. In addition, China possesses intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, such as the DF-5, DF-31, and the more advanced DF-41, along with a large number of cruise missiles, forming a multi-layered strike capability.

The report states that China is utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to optimize missile sensors, further enhancing their accuracy. General Sazman claimed that the PLA possesses over 900 short-range ballistic missiles capable of striking Taiwan, 400 land-based cruise missiles covering the first island chain, and various medium- and long-range missiles capable of reaching the second island chain and even globally. The integration of these weapon systems enables China to quickly locate and destroy targets in complex operational environments.

Sazman emphasized that if a conflict were to erupt between the U.S. and China in space, the U.S. Space Force would face a daunting task of defeating China's "kill web." To this end, the United States is actively developing its own "kill web" by investing in traditional platforms, communication equipment, artificial intelligence, and weapon systems, aiming to build long-range strike capabilities that can withstand intense combat environments. The rapid response capability and high level of integration of China's "kill web" pose a serious challenge to the existing U.S. defense system.

A-Satellite Guidance: Science Fiction or Reality?

The development of China's "kill web" has sparked discussions about the possibility of A-satellite guidance. With advanced satellite networks and AI technology, China may have the capability to develop a fast and precise strike kill chain targeting enemy satellites. If this technology is realized, it will further change the air warfare landscape of modern warfare, making satellites become target indicators on the battlefield. However, there is currently no public evidence indicating that Chinese satellites have reached the stage of being able to guide missiles to attack targets. From a technical perspective, achieving satellite guidance requires high-orbit satellites to have extremely high ground reconnaissance resolution, i.e., the ability to stare at a target, and also the ability to exchange real-time information with combat systems. If low-orbit satellites are used, then multiple satellites need to be able to relay and lock onto a target, which requires the construction of capabilities to overcome the limitations of satellite overpass time.

The U.S. is concerned that the rise of China's satellite "kill web" marks a profound transformation in global military power. Faced with this threat, the U.S. Space Force is accelerating technological research and development, and the U.S. and China may eventually form a two-power rivalry. Given China's hypersonic and ballistic missile capabilities far exceed those of the U.S., the current advantage still lies with China, and the advantage will only grow in the future.



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