Budget request directs record $338.8 billion to Air Force and Space Force to meet “challenges of today and tomorrow”

… In addition to providing funds to grow the Guardian force by 2,800, the budget proposal calls for spending $6.7 billion (a 60% increase) for satellite communications &ldquo;to ensure our forces have a secure, reliable&rdquo; link in any environment. It also invests $6.8 billion (a $2.9 billion or 70% increase) in missile warning and missile tracking architecture.<br /> <br /> The proposal requests $21.6 billion- a 158% increase from FY26- to continue investment in all categories of Space Control systems necessary to secure the nation&rsquo;s interests now and into the future. Space Control is one of the service&rsquo;s three core functions and comprises the activities required to contest and control the domain.<br /> <br /> Another $500 million will be directed to cyber warfare operations to safeguard satellites. The Space Force would also receive an additional $2.9 billion over current funding for National Security Space Launches. That boost in funding will procure 22 launches.<br /> …