defense-and-space28 days ago
US Air Force Secretary Confirms First Public Acknowledgment of On-Orbit Weapons
On September 14, 2026, US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed the deployment of 'on-orbit space control weapons' for the first time. The Space Force stated these capabilities serve both offensive and defensive purposes to protect US forces against hostile actions. This disclosure follows years of warnings regarding Chinese and Russian counterspace activities and aligns with the Trump administration's 'Golden Dome' missile defense strategy. While officials provided no specific details on the weapons' nature or deployment timeline, the move signals a shift toward explicit military competition in space.
