Weapons in Space? United States Says It Has Them

The United States has acknowledged for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space, with the Air Force saying the systems are intended to defend U.S. forces against hostile action.

The announcement comes as the United States faces growing concerns over Chinese and Russian capabilities that could threaten satellites in orbit.

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the United States now has “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.”

Meink did not disclose what type of weapons have been deployed, how they operate or how long they have been in orbit. He also did not say whether the systems are designed to target other objects in space or targets on Earth.

ABC News reports that the Space Force considers the capabilities suitable for both offensive and defensive purposes, depending on the direction of combatant commands.

A conflict in space could also have consequences beyond military operations. Destroyed or damaged satellites can create debris travelling at high speeds, potentially increasing the risk of collisions with other spacecraft.

The United States has been developing its military presence in space for years. In 2019, President Donald Trump established the U.S. Space Force as a separate military branch.