US confirms for first time it has deployed space weapons
Meink said the weapons are meant to deter China and Russia, but he declined to say how many are in orbit or what they can do.
- 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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378 Articles
US Makes Big Move in Space to Handle 'Evolving Threats'
The US just quiet crossed a new line in space. For the first time, Washington has acknowledged placing a weapon in Earth's orbit, with Air Force Secretary Troy Meink annotating on Monday that the "on orbit" system is leading to protect US forces from hostile acts in space. He offered...
This article was originally published on Cedarnews.net. For more exclusive news and reports, visit our website. This move comes amid growing space competition between the United States on one side and Russia and China on the other, with Washington considering both countries a potential threat to its interests in space. This news was published on the Cedarnews website. For more breaking news and exclusive reports, visit our official website.
US launches mysterious weapons into space in move against China and Russia, Air Force secretary confirms
President Trump has long had a fascination with space-based military capabilities -- pushing for the so-called Golden Dome space-based missile defense system.
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