US confirms for first time it has deployed space weapons
Troy Meink said the weapons are meant to deter China and Russia, but he gave no details on type, number or launch timing.
- On Monday, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed the United States has deployed 'space-control weapons' into orbit, marking the first public acknowledgment of American weapon systems circling Earth during an Air & Space Forces Association conference keynote.
- Shifting from long-standing secrecy, the Space Force began openly discussing orbital warfare in 2025, establishing a framework that defines 'space control' as actions to 'destroy, disrupt or degrade adversary space platforms' using kinetic or non-kinetic effects.
- Defense One reported experts were 'shocked' by the admission, with Secure World Foundation director Victoria Samson suggesting the systems are likely 'space-based jammers' rather than kinetic weapons due to government concerns about orbital debris.
- While the Outer Space Treaty limits weapons of mass destruction, the Space Force is pursuing the Golden Dome initiative, which Meink said has achieved 'flight ready' hardware for space-based interceptors designed to bat down adversary missiles.
- The Air Force plans to launch air-moving target indication satellites this month and expects Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones, including Anduril's 'Fury' and General Atomics' 'Vengeance,' in service by 2032.
258 Articles
258 Articles
The final frontier: US reveals Space Force has 'on-orbit space control weapons' for first time
Meink declined to say whether the weapons were kinetic, meaning systems designed to physically damage or destroy a target, or non-kinetic systems such as electronic warfare capabilities.
A US government official has confirmed the placement of an unspecified space weapon in Earth orbit, marking the first time the US has publicly acknowledged the existence of an offensive capability in space.
Beijing urges US to stop preparing for war in space
China urged the United States on Tuesday to "stop preparing for war" in space after the US Space Force confirmed it had deployed weapons into orbit for the first time. The call came after the US Space Force said on Monday that it had deployed "on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending... against hostile adversary action", without providing specifics. The Foreign Ministry said it opposed the move, warning against the "weaponisation of o…
The US Army's special branch mentioned on Monday night "armed space control systems in orbit", while the US is long suspected of having such equipment above our heads.
, a capability that, according to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, is destined to defend American forces against hostile actions by adversaries. “We are increasing preparedness against existing threats, and “, Meink said during a speech at the Air, Space and Cyber conference held in Maryland. The Department ... Continues reading “USA admits that it has space control weapons in orbit: “We must increase our combat power”
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