The story

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced Monday that the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary actions. The announcement came during his keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association's annual conference in National Harbor, Maryland. This marks the first time the United States Armed Forces have publicly confirmed the presence of weapons in space.

Meink did not specify what type of weapon is now in space but said it will be used for space control. According to The Washington Post, a U.S. official said that could include the military taking out an enemy's satellite if it's being used to target American troops or a U.S. satellite. Meink declined to elaborate further, stating that phrase was very well thought out, and said details would not benefit deterrence.

The disclosure follows years of U.S. warnings that China and Russia have been practicing offensive maneuvers in orbit. The United States Space Force released a space warfighting framework in 2025 defining space control as a core function to gain space superiority. Meink separately highlighted the Space-Based Interceptor Program, currently in development as part of the Golden Dome missile defense system.