Retired United States Air Force Lieutenant General Steven L. Kwast, during a lecture at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C., made claims about advanced technologies capable of transforming global transportation. Kwast, who retired in 2019, suggested that the United States possesses revolutionary technology that could potentially transport individuals anywhere on Earth in less than an hour. He emphasized that these technologies were not merely conceptual but existed on engineering benches today. However, Kwast did not specifically mention teleportation, nor did he elaborate on the exact nature of the technology in question.
Kwast’s career in the Air Force was marked by notable achievements, including commanding roles at the 47th Operations Group at Laughlin Air Force Base and the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB. He accumulated over 3,300 flight hours, including 650 in combat, and his expertise extends to astronautical engineering and public policy. Despite his distinguished service, reports suggest that Kwast faced controversy and was possibly blacklisted for promotion due to his outspoken views on space-related issues, leading to his retirement in 2019.
In his speech, Kwast discussed the strategic importance of space technology and the need for the United States to maintain a competitive edge, especially against growing Chinese military and technological advancements. He argued for the US to invest in space-based technologies, asserting that space is the new strategic high ground in 21st-century warfare. Kwast’s comments align with broader discussions within the military and defense analyst community regarding the significance of space technology for national security and economic dominance.
While Kwast’s claims about rapid global transportation technologies are intriguing, they have raised questions and skepticism among experts. For instance, John M. Nichol, an associate professor of physics at the University of Rochester, clarified that what Kwast described does not align with the scientific concept of teleportation, which currently applies only to small objects like atoms or electrons. Nichol suggested that Kwast might be referring to something akin to hypersonic transport rather than actual teleportation.
