Given the rapid and continuing evolution of orbital rockets and space craft, it is clear that the United States needs to take steps to ensure the freedom of near-Earth space and to protect the property and territory of the United States.
The first fact that must be dealt with is: "He who controls the orbitals, controls the planet." Any entity that controls the orbitals of a planet may prevent anyone else from reaching while using KEWs to destroy their surface assets and rail guns to destroy any assets in orbit. The ability to do this exists at this moment.
The first thing you need is a cheap, effective and reliable rocket booster. Reusability is a cherry on top. The Falcon 9 from Space X is the obvious answer. No development costs...the production line is up and running.
Next you need an orbital craft. My suggestion would be the Dreamchaser, by Sierra Nevada. The X-37 by Boeing would work as well. Use them as drones. The X-37 has already proven it can stay in space for extended periods of time. Arm them with electromagnetic railguns and kinetic energy weapons. I believe the Navy has already done the groundwork on the railguns, and the Air Force has several weapons that could easily be converted to KEW dispensers.
This fleet would allow us to retire our entire strategic force. Orbital KEWs are better in every way, including much cleaner. It would allow us to project force world wide without using expensive targets like our CVNs. Our Navy could be converted to commerce and coastal protection. The Air Force would concentrate on air space control and ground support. (You could probably even give it back to the Army, like the Navy and marines relationship)
The fleet would allow us to protect our orbital assets and those of our allies. It is well established that the Chinese are developing anti-satellite capabilities.
Lastly it would allow us to protect the United States from attack from orbit. There is little doubt that if Russia or China possessed to capabilities today that we do, they would be seeking to seize control of the orbitals, and prevent anyone else from developing a similar ability.
