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.
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The United States publicly acknowledged for the first time that they have weapons systems in orbit. The statement comes at a significant time for the militarization of space and strategic rivalry between the great powers.
In the midst of a debate on the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity, the United States revealed this Monday, during the Conference Air, Space and Cybernetics Conference, held in Maryland, that it has deployed “in orbit” space control weapons to “maintain dominance” in space. This statement of intent has not been casual, in fact it has been measured to the millimeter as revealed by the US Air Force Secretary, Troy Meink, who has been in…
US military deploys weapons in space thousands of kilometres above Earth that can strike with brute force
The United States has acknowledged for the first time that it has deployed “space control weapons” in orbit capable of defending American forces against hostile action, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said. He did not disclose the type, location or deployment date of the weapons. The US says the capabilities can be used for both offensive and defensive operations in space.
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.
For the first time, Washington officially confirms the existence of a space weapon. The revelation arises as the United States, Russia and China strengthen military capabilities in space.
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