U.S. Space Force acknowledges orbital deployment of offensive weapons

The short version

• Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink announced that the U.S. has deployed offensive space control weapons into orbit for the first time since the Space Force's establishment.[Scientific American]
• Meink stated the weapons are intended to counter threats from foreign adversaries, though specific operational details were not disclosed.[Scientific American]
• Russia and China both criticized the announcement, warning against an arms race and calling for the demilitarization of space despite their own counterspace developments.[Scientific American]

Key facts

• Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink announced at a conference that the U.S. has placed offensive space control weapons into Earth orbit.[Scientific American]
• This deployment marks the first such acknowledgment by the U.S. Space Force since its inception six years ago.[Scientific American]
• A report from the Secure World Foundation indicates that 13 countries have developed counterspace capabilities.[Scientific American]
• Both Russia and China responded to the U.S. announcement with statements opposing space militarization and an arms race.[Scientific American]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• The U.S. has weapons in spaceScientific American metered