Johnson's comments re-enforce the notion that the United States is highly dependent upon space capabilities. Therefore, it makes sense that current as well as potential adversaries would seek to develop other, more acceptable counter-space technologies. The GPS jammers used by Saddam's forces during Iraqi Freedom and the SATCOM jammer used by Cuba to negate the Voice of America broadcast (i.e., both are OCS systems that target the links element of space systems) represent a lucrative area for growth in counter-space systems. First, they are cheap and relatively easy to build. Second, they have proven capabilities, especially the SATCOM jammer used against Voice of America. Third, they avoid the current dilemma of weaponizing space, although it offers a slippery slope in that direction. Fourth, while it is possible that these systems could target missile-warning systems, they are unlikely to foster the levels of instability created by the Cold War ASAT systems. Finally, they offer the potential of disrupting a key area of US military dominance and subsequently reducing the overall combat effectiveness of American forces.

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Meteyer, David O. The Art of Peace: Dissuading China from Developing Counter-Space Weapons. USAF Academy, CO: USAF Institute for National Security Studies, August 2005. [ 20 quotes ] [ page 51 ]