The NADWC is advancing the integration of space operations through Exercise Northern Strike, one of the Department of War’s premier reserve component training exercises. Through this effort, we are developing new ways to incorporate commercial, military, academic and interagency space capabilities into joint and coalition training. As space becomes increasingly vital to modern warfare, this initiative supports the evolution of multi-domain operations and strengthens readiness across the force.
The NADWC is expanding training opportunities by integrating space-enabled capabilities such as imagery, resilient communications, intelligence platforms, Space Domain Awareness, space weather and contested-environment operations into realistic exercises. This positions the NADWC as an emerging contributor to the national security space enterprise and a model for modernizing force capabilities by teaching units how to incorporate space effects into planning, maneuver, communications and decision-making.
Exercise Northern Strike provides a unique environment to demonstrate how space capabilities enhance operational readiness, improve resilience and accelerate decision-making across air, land, maritime, cyber and special operations missions. The NADWC’s space integration effort helps rotational training units understand how space capabilities improve battlespace awareness, support command and control and sustain operations in denied, degraded, intermittent and limited communications environments.
This effort builds on the Exercise Northern Strike space plan, which identifies intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), satellite communications (SATCOM), positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), missile warning and Space Domain Awareness as critical enablers of joint force maneuver, survivability and freedom of action.
Michigan has a strong foundation for growth across defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, mobility, autonomy, engineering and applied research. Integrating space operations presents a strategic opportunity to link these strengths directly to national defense priorities. By advancing space-enabled training at Exercise Northern Strike, the Michigan National Guard can further position the state as a credible contributor to the national security space ecosystem. This effort also supports broader state priorities to expand defense and aerospace activity, attract innovative companies and strengthen partnerships across government, industry and academia.
The Michigan National Guard is pursuing collaboration with organizations that advance space operations, defense innovation, research, commercialization and operational experimentation. Potential partners include the Defense Innovation Unit, United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Research Laboratory, Army Research Laboratory, the Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center, The Aerospace Corporation, elements of the United States Space Force Joint Commercial Operations and Joint Capabilities Office, the National Reconnaissance Office and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, as well as AFWERX, SpaceWERX, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the University of Michigan, Michigan-based defense and aerospace companies, and select commercial space providers.
The NADWC is exploring how space-based imagery, synthetic aperture radar, hyperspectral sensing, change detection and intelligence platforms can enhance operational awareness. These capabilities support mission planning, route analysis, maritime monitoring, battle damage assessment and intelligence preparation of the operational environment.
The NADWC is evaluating secure, resilient communications pathways that enable units to operate in contested or degraded environments. This includes satellite communications, alternate data pathways, secure networks and communications planning that supports distributed operations and joint command and control.
The NADWC is building awareness of the space environment and its impact on military operations. This includes understanding threats to satellite-enabled services, monitoring space-related risks, incorporating space weather considerations and helping commanders assess how space conditions can affect operations on Earth.
Northern Strike is being used as a practical environment to test and demonstrate commercial space capabilities. Commercial providers can deliver rapidly available imagery, data services, intelligence platforms, secure communications and mission support tools that help training units understand how space capabilities can be applied at the tactical and operational levels.
The NADWC is examining how training units can better understand and respond to GPS interference, communications disruption, jamming, spoofing and other threats to space-enabled services. This effort supports readiness in denied, degraded, intermittent and limited communications environments.
Exercise Northern Strike provides U.S. and partner-nation forces the opportunity to train with space-enabled products and services in realistic multi-domain scenarios. This effort supports future collaboration with the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, National Guard partners, commercial providers and allied organizations.
