In a historic public admission, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink has confirmed that the US Space Force has launched operational weapon systems into Earth’s orbit.
Meink made the announcement during a keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association conference in National Harbor, Maryland, marking the first time a US government official has publicly acknowledged orbital weapons deployment.
“Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist,” Meink said, adding that “the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action.”
The Department of the Air Force declined to offer any further detail beyond Meink’s remarks, leaving significant questions about the nature and scope of the weapons systems unanswered.
Frank discussion of orbital weaponry has long been taboo in US government circles, largely due to fears of sparking a global space arms race that could destabilise international security arrangements.
“Space control” encompasses both defensive actions to protect US and allied space assets and offensive actions to negate an adversary’s space capabilities, making the category of weapons potentially broad in scope.
In a subsequent roundtable with reporters, Meink pushed back firmly against suggestions that discussing space weapons publicly could embolden America’s adversaries, asking: “Is there any question in the room by anybody about whether or not the Chinese and Russians have been developing these sorts of weapons?”
Meink argued that transparency about the existence of such weapons is essential for deterrence, though he stressed that specific details like test events and capabilities “would actually not benefit that deterrence.”
Space control weapons are not the only orbital systems being developed, as Meink confirmed that the Space Force has achieved “flight ready” hardware for space-based interceptors forming part of the administration’s Golden Dome missile defence initiative.
Meink also revealed that the first air-moving target indication satellites will be launched this month, with a full initial constellation planned for 2028 following a multibillion-dollar award to SpaceX in May.
“The space systems are actually building faster than we can field the E-7,” Meink said, describing the pace of development as representing “a different world than what we used to live in, maybe a decade ago.”
On drone programmes, Meink disclosed ambitious new targets, including a goal of fielding 100 Massed Modular Aircraft drones by 2029 and 500 by 2032, a dramatic acceleration from the original target of just 20 by fiscal 2031.
The Air Force also now expects 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones to be in service by 2032, following the selection of Anduril and General Atomics in June to lead production of the programme’s first round.
Meink confirmed official names for the first CCA drones, with Anduril’s FQ-44A retaining its industry name “Fury” and General Atomics’ FQ-42A, known internally as the “Dark Merlin,” being designated “Vengeance” by the Air Force.