Pentagon acknowledges on-orbit space weapons for first time
The United States has placed a weapon in orbit capable of defending American troops, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said Monday. It is the first time a U.S. official has acknowledged the country has such a space capability.
Speaking at the annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Md., Meink did not provide details on the type of weapon or when it was launched.
“Today we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist,” Meink said. “This is why the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action.”
He added that it is “critically important that we maintain our dominance not only in the air but in space.”
Citing a U.S. official, The Washington Post reported the weapon could allow the military to take out an enemy’s satellite should it be used to target American troops or a U.S. satellite.
The admission drew a response from China and Russia.
“China stands for peaceful use of the outer space and keeping it safe, and opposes any arms race in outer space or any attempt to weaponize it and turn it into a warzone,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry posted to X. “We urge the U.S. to stop its military build-up in the outer space, and uphold global strategic stability with concrete actions.”
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “We believe that space must be free of any weapon. We are counting on broad international consolidation to continue working toward the complete demilitarization of space.”
Asked about the criticism, Meink told reporters: “Is there any question . . . about whether or not the Chinese or Russians have been developing these sorts of weapons?”
The Pentagon is developing the Golden Dome missile defense system, which will include interceptor layers and a space-based missile warning and tracking system. Golden Dome is projected to cost about $1.2 trillion to develop, deploy and operate over the next 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
