US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals
Troy Meink said the weapons are meant to deter China and Russia, but he gave no details on how many were deployed or when.
- 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.
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There are American weapons orbiting the Earth, a US official acknowledged today for the first time. China and Russia are calling for the demilitarization of space.
US orbital weapons acknowledgement a “landmark” move, US Space Command official says
By Cassell Bryan-Low WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force chief's acknowledgment this week that the Pentagon has weapons in orbit is a "landmark" moment in the rising militarization of space aimed at deterring aggression against Washingto...
Space Force has weapons in orbit, Air Force secretary says
The Space Force currently has “space control weapons” in orbit, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink revealed today. His remarks are the first time the U.S. military has publicly acknowledged putting offensive capabilities into orbit. Meink was delivering a keynote address at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Maryland on Monday when he opened up about what the Space Force has put into space. …
The United States has placed weapons in space, reports the AP news agency. It is the first time the country has admitted to such a capability. – We are increasing our preparedness for existing threats, says Troy Meink, Secretary of the Air Force.
Washington admits having weapons in space, military competition intensifyes in orbit
US acknowledges for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space - Regional Media News
WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told the Air and Space Cyber Conference in Maryland on Monday that the U.S. has fielded "on-orbit space control weapons capable [...]
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