Sep 2018 – Oct 2023 · 5 yrs 1 mo · Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

• The Space Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RV) develops a portfolio of technologies to support evolving warfighter requirements to control and exploit space. Current areas of emphasis include the battlespace environment, space asset protection, space vehicle control, space-based sensing, space vehicle technologies, wargaming and integrated space technology demonstrations. The Independent Assessment Team (IAT) is composed of General Officers, Admirals and distinguished senior experts that support AFRL/RV in the following areas:
• 1. Provide advice and assistance to AFRL/RV in strategic planning;
• 2. Recommend areas for space technology investments based on evolving warfighter requirements and incorporating lessons learned from recent conflicts;
• 3. Support the evaluation of potential National Security capabilities gained from proposed space technology investments;
• 4. Facilitate dialog with warfighter, developmental and operational commands as well as other stakeholders within and outside of DoD.

Jul 2013 – Present · 12 yrs 10 mos

• Mr. Szymanski has extensive expertise spanning 50 years and emphasizes outer space warfare (space control, space superiority, space defense) advanced planning, policy, space military theory, doctrine, strategies, and tactics. This mission area expertise also includes Space Battle Management, Command and Control (BMC2), Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA), space systems survivability, susceptibility and resilience, space weapons systems effectiveness analyses, autonomous satellite self-defense concepts, and orbital dynamics modeling, simulations, and 3D satellite model construction. Additional expertise includes developing extensive lists (100’s) of possible space warfare Courses of Action (COA’s), and helping NATO develop their military space policy. In addition, he has a comprehensive experience base, having worked directly with multiple services (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines), civilian agencies (NASA, DARPA, FEMA), and from the White House National Security Council (NSC) and Congress, to the Pentagon (Secretary of the Air Force) to systems development (Space Systems Command - SSC/ASP/XRJ), technology development (Air Force Research Lab – AFRL/RD/RV/RI/RH and as a member of the Independent Assessment Team general officer programmatic review board) to operational field test (China Lake Naval Test Center). Also, he has published/lectured over 75 times in the past three years alone in Aviation Week, the United States, the UK, Scotland, Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Estonia, India, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
• Publications: 974 (In Open, and Classified Locations)
• Multiple Awards From Secretary of Air Force, Space Systems Center, Navy Air Systems Command and Air Force Research Labs

Jul 2013 – Present · 12 yrs 10 mos

Jul 2013 – Present · 12 yrs 10 mos

• "I applaud your efforts to decompose the history of the space work force and extrapolate the doctrine we so desperately need."
• "I appreciate your efforts in this area and look forward to hopefully some great discussion!"
• "Paul, sounds like you have a fantastic background. Fascinated by what you're doing."
• " I greatly enjoy your presentations."

Jul 2013 – Present · 12 yrs 10 mos

• "I followed you for a while and in my opinion you are one of the smartest guys in space doctrine."
• "Paul Szymanski is America’s premier space strategist"
• "Your work is extraordinary!"
• "Thank you for the work! Certainly unheralded in comparison to its value by far!"
• "This is absolutely brilliant!"
• "Always making use of your wisdom in on-going pursuits."
• "Yours was the best lecture of the semester."
• "Paul that is awesome.....you are a rock star!'
• "Paul Szymanski these are great! Lots of inspiration there for future visuals."
• "Thanks as always for your most cogent perspicacious insights."
• "It was a pleasure to talk with you today because you're very interesting!"
• "In brief, a fascinating idea succinctly and clearly presented."
• "I am so very gratified to get to be a part of your network and appreciate your deep thinking on space. You are blazing a trail for generations of leaders!"
• "My God Man. That’s an incredible body of work. Preternatural."
• "I have been enjoying your emails and the excellent technical content you provide over a few years."
• "I always appreciate your emails and get so much out of the work you do."
• "Always appreciate your insight"
• "I always love reading your posts."
• "Your work is impressive."
• "I vouch for that dude. He is incredible."
• "Your dedication to the space warfighting domain is amazing"
• "I like your vitality and happiness"
• "Paul – this is incredible."
• "Thank you SOOOO much for the brief today. I got a lot of positive feedback! You were absolutely awesome!"
• "You just spoke to my senior seminar class on space wars, and I thought it was one of the coolest presentations I've ever seen. You showed me a lot of really cool things I'd never even heard of before."
• "Brilliant!"
• "Wow, Paul. Your stuff is pretty amazing & professionally thorough. It definitely peaks my interest."
• "Sir, you are awesome!!! Many, many thanks!!!"
• "Really enjoy reading your group emails! Very insightful!"
• "You make very interesting points which spark lively conversation"

Jul 2013 – Present · 12 yrs 10 mos

• It has come to my attention that after 49 years developing outer space warfare theory, doctrine, strategies and tactics, that maybe now I am a real-life space mercenary, much like Boba Fett in Star Wars. This is because I not only consult with various United States government agencies on how to fight and win space wars, I have also supported allied nations on this critical topic, such as: NATO, Britain, Scotland, Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Estonia, Ukraine, Turkey, India, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Jul 2013 – Present · 12 yrs 10 mos

• The Space Warfare discussion group on LinkedIn that I developed is probably the most senior discussion group in the country with an interest in space control critical topics. It consists of 25,491 hand-picked members on LinkedIn, 136 from government intelligence agencies (including the NASIC Chief Scientist and the former NRO Chief Scientist), 238 from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 413 from NATO, 1,923 General officers, Admirals or equivalents, including former: Secretary of the Army, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (3), Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, NATO Assistant Secretary General, Commander of US Army in Europe, Commander of U.S. Air Force in Europe, Commander & Deputy Commander of Special Operations Command in Europe, Marine Corps Commandant and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also two former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), 346 from the Secretary of Defense office (including one former Secretary of Defense and 56 current and former Under/Assistant Secretaries of Defense), 2 former Secretaries of the Air Force, 16 Under/Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force, 1 former Secretary of the Army, 17 Under/Assistant Secretaries of the Army, 2 Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, 7 Assistant Secretaries of the Navy, 569 Congressional House & Senate staffers, 268 from the White House and National Security Council staffs, 52 astronauts, 39 from The Vatican, and 92 from the United Nations, among others.

Jul 2013 – May 2023 · 9 yrs 10 mos

• "One of the best presentations on Strategy I’ve seen."
• "Extremely good article!"
• "SUPERB WORK!"
• "What a fantastic body of work!"
• "Mark my words, Paul Szymanski's work has been in some circles and will be required reading in the coming year for *all* Branch/Services' Space Capabilities."
• "Very informative article, Sir. You are indeed a pioneer in the field of outer space warfare."
• "Paul is a remarkable authority on space warfare. He has addressed my Space Law class twice. In both semesters, he was the favorite speaker of my students."
• "You are a world-wide rock star in the space warfare field"
• "This is amazing. You truly are the fortress of knowledge on this topic"
• "As we've discussed in the past, I think you're terrific; I believe you are an outstanding asset to the military and space operations community."
• "Paul is a first-rate intellect and dedicated to advancing our understanding of space doctrine and strategy."
• """Great questions... 10 & 11 are superb!""
• Very interested in where you take this next…"
• "Very intriguing. As a career space/missile officer, I believe your studies have a lot of merit."
• "Paul Szymanski is an impressive thought leader forging the path in space and space warfare doctrine and policy! There is no more insightful or conversation-shaping voice in the arena!"
• "Our country should recognize that you have an out standing mind and welcome it to the table."
• "Always great to hear from you and of course your current thoughts on the big issues in space."
• "Paul has rare, broad experience and skills that give him insight to fashion space policy and strategy that delivers for our Nation and his clients."
• "Paul is a true Space Warfare Doctrine, Strategies & Tactics expert!"
• "Top notch! Expert in his field. The go to guy to get the job done."
• "A valuable person with great experience."

Jul 2013 – May 2023 · 9 yrs 10 mos

• "Paul is the driving force of a discussion group tackling complex issues facing the military space community. He solicited thought-provoking topics while keeping the forum focused on what's important."
• "I have worked in the space field for 30 years and I have never met someone who knows more about space warfare and operations than Paul. Anyone he works with is fortunate indeed."
• "Paul continues to provide high-quality, thoughtful analysis."
• "Runs a terrific blog on space policy & conflict issues."
• "Paul has a valuable and unique knowledge base for space warfare doctrine. On top of that, he is very approachable and a great communicator."
• "I have worked with Paul on Wikistrat projects, and he was a pleasure to work with. I was impressed with his knowledge and learned a lot from him."
• "Paul provides well structured and highly informative space themed articles. I find his insight interesting and refreshing."
• "I worked with Paul for several years. He knows this area of national security as well as, or better than, anyone I know. It is a privilege to endorse his professional skills in this area."
• "Paul demonstrates a broad knowledge of space doctrine across all functions. For space control, Paul has an ability to cross the lines of Space/OPS/Targeting doctrine to help answer the hard questions."
• "Paul was a great boss. He has a deep understanding of space control and military tactics in general. His work applying Sun Tzu to space warfare is innovative and relevant. He has vast collections of important space data from spacecraft anomalies to ground sensors to CAD models of spacecraft. He is comfortable using simulations as well especially the Aerospace Corp SOAP tool, which he supported development of earlier in his career."

Jul 2013 – May 2023 · 9 yrs 10 mos

• "I just wanted to say thanks for passing this along. I have never seen these charts before, and I learned a lot as a space operator today. This discussion group is proving hugely valuable to my knowledge-growth efforts."
• "Your conversations are as informative as they are timely."
• "Our interaction in the space field will be more of a mentor-mentee relationship which I realized when I was going through your stellar profile. I would be very interested in learning from you, Sir."
• "Your field of expertise is wide and very interesting. Your activities demonstrate a remarkable capability to raise funding for broad variety of subjects."
• "Very cool stuff. All of your comments Mike make sense having spent much time doing Multi National Coordination. Working with NGOs and IGOs having corporate presence makes sense per your need. Good stuff and thanks for sharing. Fascinating discussion. Thanks for the postings and discussion. I am learning a great deal."
• "Thank you for your email, I learned a lot from you."
• "I just wanted to say that I found your concept briefings quite helpful."
• "This is great stuff. Thanks so much."
• "Out of the box thinking. Pretty neat."
• "Very impressive background with SSA/SDA! I would love to get your ideas and have discussions on the topics you've mentioned."
• "Thank you for your comments which I have enjoyed reading with much interest. You touch on some startling points which need further investigation. The lack of structure particularly at the international level through law and policy, is worrying. Please do keep sending us your emails, I enjoy reading them."
• "I've found your emails fascinating, and I would be interested in reviewing the strategies you've mentioned you're working on."
• "I think you're right about the state of strategic thinking in the community."
• "Thank you for your very interesting discussion on space war."
• "Very interesting and thought provoking!"

Jan 1994 – Present · 32 yrs 4 mos

• Author of many publications (over 145 papers and lectures world-wide) developing foundational principles of outer space warfare concerning theory, policy, doctrine, strategies and tactics. These include articles in the United States Air Force Strategic Studies Quarterly, Wild Blue Yonder Journal (3 articles), Aviation Week, Project Performance International Systems Engineering Newsletter, MIL-STD-2525, Defense Technical Information Center (over 80 publications), among hundreds more over my 48-year career. I am also developing a major printed book on the topic of space warfare theory, policy, doctrine, strategies and tactics. In addition, I have presented papers at: Military Operations Research Society at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, Tenth International Conference on Advances in Satellite and Space Communications, Athens, Greece; Satellite & Space Missions, Rome, Italy; 20th International Conference on Military Technology, Paris, France; The Space Show; Scottish Space Power Institute’s Joint Lecture Series; AFWERX, Las Vegas. NV; AIAA SPACE Forum, Orlando, FL; Joint Special Operations University Space Symposium, Tampa, FL; the SmallSat Alliance; and the NATO Joint Air & Space Power Conference, Essen, Germany.

Dec 2006 – Jul 2013 · 6 yrs 7 mos · Albuquerque, NM

• I formulated innovative space weapon employment strategies for the overall conduct of possible future space battles. I also conducted space warfare computer simulations that demonstrated the best tactics for possible future scenarios, including Defensive Counter Space. I developed extensive lists (6,000) of intelligence indicators and possible adversary Courses Of Action (COA’s) for a variety of potential space control systems. I also developed a detailed (2,000 lines, 50 columns) Space Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace (IPB) database. These were incorporated into my analysis tool, called SWAT (Space Warfare Analysis Tools), to allow the user to conduct Predictive Battlespace Awareness for attacks on space systems. I also developed innovative displays of space object orbital parameters that synthesize to users which adversary actions are threatening to key US space assets. SWAT also includes automatic mission characterization and state change algorithms developed by myself. A recent Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Preparation and Warning, described SWAT as “Unique in this country, with no one else conducting this kind of far-thinking research in Space Situational Awareness” and “Critical to this nation’s defense in space.” I have also lectured at the Air University on space doctrine, strategies and tactics.
• I also have developed 550 new outer space warfare strategies and tactics based on Sun Tzu's (544 BC – 496 BC) ancient teachings described in his writings, called "The Art of War."

Sep 2006 – Jul 2017 · 10 yrs 10 mos · Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

• Provided management advice, web domain support and marketing briefings to Albuquerque and Rio Rancho mayors along with New Mexico State officials in Santa Fe. This was all to help establish a new military museum serving the State of new Mexico.

Jan 2003 – Dec 2006 · 3 yrs 11 mos · Albuquerque, NM

• I have designed and managed development of many computer simulation software tools for space control including orbital mechanics, space surveillance, BMC3 and wargaming. I then ran these simulations for specific scenarios and derived data for use in long-range planning activities. In addition, I developed a unique concept for integrating space, terrestrial and info war targeting into one unified methodology with common measures of merit. This shows the flow of information from sensor to shooter, and from space to terrestrial systems. I then programmed this algorithm into Microsoft Access, and have successfully used it in many studies and exercises.
• I participated in the development of simulations for satellite inspectors and microsatellite defense. I also developed simulations of laser relay mirror experiments, and airborne laser weapon systems. I developed a Microsoft Access database of satellite characteristics, failures, optical signature history, images, military requirements, and space object close encounters. I designed a Monte Carlo model in MatLab for satellite maneuvering to visualize space threat envelopes. I have also modeled satellite keep-out zones for safety and threat warning constraints. I used orbital dynamics tools to determine optimum experiment deployment strategies for the Starfire Optical Range (SOR). I also calculated optimal space surveillance sensor geographic locations, and optimized orbits for satellite inspectors. I modeled Crew Exploration Vehicle orbits from the earth to the moon. In addition, I constructed satellite CAD models and calculated Radar Cross Section signatures for different spacecraft attitudes. Finally, I developed a Microsoft Access database of star characteristics.

Jan 1994 – Jan 2003 · 9 yrs · Albuquerque, NM

• I have analyzed Government policy and international treaties concerning space, and provided recommendations for modifications to these policies and treaties for the Air Force Air Staff. I developed the most extensive and complete strategies-to-task analysis (QFD) ever done for space. This provides a top-down requirements traceability tree for all possible conceptual activities in space control.
• I researched concepts among the military services for overall rules of thumb for warfare, called “Principles of War,” then generalized these principles to space control. These principles of space warfare were then used by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to help break a deadlock in their discussions over the roles and missions of USSPACECOM, before it was established. I also developed a space NIIRS (National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale) intelligence collection rating scale; Space Threat Envelopes (most threatening regions of space); Space Choke Point Maps; Most Probable Space Attack Time Maps; space Centers Of Gravity; and a space conflict escalation ladder. The space conflict escalation ladder was used by the White House when formulating new National Space Policy for the Obama administration. I also assessed space control requirements documents, and inserted these into a Microsoft Access database I designed myself to provide linked traceability from fundamental national policy and military objectives to possible Courses Of Action.

Jan 1987 – Jan 1994 · 7 yrs · El Segundo, CA

• I developed long-range requirements for space systems survivability. I researched possible exotic space weapon techniques, and developed plans for countermeasures. I also surveyed physical security techniques for space ground facilities, and managed advanced technology programs supporting space systems survivability. I have analyzed many Defensive Counter Space scenarios for threat assessments, and optimized probable attack orbits.
• I managed threat assessment panels reviewing world-wide threats to space systems. I developed threat assessment requirements and formats, and integrated this data into other long-range planning activities. I also developed threat ranking methodologies. In addition, I modeled threat space systems capabilities in orbital dynamics tools.
• I provided management support to two major development programs for C4I. For the first, the Space Defense Operations Center (SPADOC), I provided long-range mission concepts, and interface connectivity analyses. In the second, classified program, I developed requirements, wrote statements of work and other contractual documents, and participated in source selection boards.
• I developed space control scenarios based on Defense Planning Guidance modified to include detailed space-related actions and effects. These were used in advanced concepts studies. One recent group of scenarios I developed was praised by the Air Force Program Manager as the best briefing he had seen among all three contractors at PDR. Another space scenario I developed is a baseline for many other Rome Labs programs. I also coded a software tool that automatically generates bounded random space scenario systems for military exercises and wargames.

Jan 1977 – Jan 1987 · 10 yrs · Arlington, VA

• I have managed or participated in 15 different blue-ribbon architecture studies that provided senior Government decision makers with long-term (10-20 year) strategic planning road maps. These studies have been briefed to the Secretary of the Air Force, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Congress, and the National Security Council.
• For example, I conducted a long-range planning study that has had a major impact on the future of military space. I developed the original concept for this study, marketed this concept to the Air Force, convinced them of its importance for validating their space systems, and kicked-off two years of intense analytical studies by the top experts in the field. I established the overall objectives and logic flow of this study, procured and managed contractor support, and performed most of its supporting analyses. These results have been briefed to all levels of the Government, including Congress.
• I managed several major studies concerning the observation of objects in space and Space Situational Awareness. I developed study requirements, prepared statements of work, obtained funding approval, negotiated contract awards, monitored contractor technical performance, and briefed study results.
• I have performed various space surveillance technical analyses for sensor coverage and timelines for both foreign and US systems (land, ship, air and space-based) using computer simulations and orbital mechanics. These included the Space Surveillance Network and the Air Force Satellite Control Network. I have also developed models for imaging of satellites in space, and conducted analyses of solar phase angles for satellite illumination in reference to an observer platform. I developed a National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (NIIRS) for space objects, applicable from other observing satellites. I also designed and constructed a computer animation and video illustrating the threat to our military forces from commercial imagery satellites.

May 1974 – Present · 52 yrs · Multiple

• 1.) White House National Security Council
• 2.) US Secretary of Air Force (AQSC - Pentagon)
• 3.) US Space & Missile Systems Center (SSC/XRJ) - Now SSC
• 4.) Joint Chiefs of Staff (Pentagon)
• 5.) US Air Force Research Labs (RDST/RV/RI/RH)
• 6.) Satellite Assessment Center (SatAC)
• 7.) Starfire Optical Range (SOR)
• 8.) US Space Command - Colorado Springs
• 9.) Consolidated Space Operations Center (CSOC) - Falcon AFB, CO
• 10.) Space Innovation and Development Center (SIDC/SWC) - Schriever Air Force Base, CO
• 11.) National Space Defense Center (NSDC) - Schriever AFB, CO
• 12.) 26th Space Aggressors Squadron - Schriever Air Force Base, CO
• 13.) Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station - Colorado Springs, CO
• 14.) Air Force Space Command (AFSC - Now U.S. Space Force) - Peterson Air Force Base, CO
• 15.) Edwards Air Force Base - Mojave Desert, CA
• 16.) Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC, Now CSpOC) - Vandenberg AFB, CA
• 17.) US Strategic Command (Omaha, Nebraska)
• 18.) USAF Electronic Systems Center (ESC, Now AFLCMC)
• 19.) NATO Allied Command Transformation - Norfolk, VA
• 20.) NATO Joint Air Power Competence Centre - Kalkar, Germany
• 21.) Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
• 22.) Naval Research Lab (NRL) - DC
• 23.) Naval War College - Newport, RI
• 24.) Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) - Tampa, FL
• 25.) Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) - China Lake, CA
• 26.) Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune - Jacksonville, NC
• 27.) Army Redstone Arsenal - Alabama
• 28.) Air University/Air War College - Montgomery, Alabama
• 29.) Army War College - Carlisle, PA
• 30.) French Air and Space Force
• 31.) SPADOC/SPADCCS/SSC - CMC
• 32.) Many undisclosed organizations & locations

May 1974 – May 1977 · 3 yrs · Annapolis, Maryland, United States

• One of the directors of this company and developed financial plans.

Jan 1974 – Jan 1977 · 3 yrs · Annapolis, MD

• Integrated logistics support
• Field test support
• Test planning

Jan 1973 – Jan 1974 · 1 yr · Pittsburgh, PA

• Nuclear power analysis and design development