The newly formed U.S. Space Command (Spacecom) has agreed with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) that in “higher states of conflict” the nation will respond to the direction of the head of the combatant command, according to Air Force Gen. John Raymond.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper remains unwavering that the nation will not allow Turkey to own and operate the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter while it has the Russian S-400 air defense system in its inventory.

The DOD will launch a new program to protect intellectual property so that potential adversaries cannot have access to U.S. weapons development information.