WASHINGTON — September 16, 2026: The United States has publicly acknowledged for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space, marking a significant development in the country’s military space capabilities.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said Monday that the U.S. has deployed “on-orbit space control weapons” designed to protect American and allied military forces from hostile actions by adversaries.
Meink did not provide details about the weapons, including their specific capabilities, how they operate or whether they are designed to target objects in space or on the ground.
Growing Concerns Over Space-Based Military Threats
The disclosure comes amid increasing concern about the militarization of space and the vulnerability of satellite-dependent infrastructure.
The United States has previously warned about potential Russian anti-satellite capabilities. American officials have also raised concerns over military developments by Russia and China, particularly because critical communications and other infrastructure rely heavily on satellites.
The U.S. has demonstrated the ability to destroy satellites using weapons launched from Earth, but Meink’s comments represent a new public acknowledgment concerning weapons positioned directly in orbit.
Air Force Plans More Autonomous Systems
Meink also outlined broader changes planned for the U.S. Air Force during remarks at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
He said the service is increasing its use of autonomous systems and predicted that the Air Force could look “radically different” by 2032.
Among the changes he described was a greater reliance on one-way attack drones. Meink suggested such systems could eventually take on a role currently associated with artillery in battlefield operations.
“We are increasing readiness against existing threats,” he said.
Trump Administration Expands Focus on Space
The announcement comes as the administration of President Donald Trump continues to place greater emphasis on military capabilities in space.
During Trump’s first term, the administration established the U.S. Space Force in 2019 as a separate branch of the military. During his second term, Trump also announced the Golden Dome missile-defense initiative, which includes plans involving weapons deployed in space.
Trump previously said he expected Golden Dome to become fully operational before the end of his term in January 2029. He also said the proposed system would be capable of intercepting missiles, including threats launched from space.
The latest disclosure by the Air Force adds to growing international attention on the development and deployment of military technologies beyond Earth.