The United States has placed space control weapons into orbit, according to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. His remarks represent the first public acknowledgement by a U.S. government official that Washington has deployed weapon systems around the Earth.
Orbital weapons intended to protect U.S. forces
“We continue to ensure that we remain ready to meet evolving threats wherever they exist. This is why the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action,” Meink said during a keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association conference.
The secretary did not provide further information about the systems, and the Department of the Air Force declined to comment.
Washington moves away from its traditional silence
The statement is significant because U.S. officials avoided openly discussing orbital weapons for decades. Washington had been concerned that publicly acknowledging such capabilities could trigger a global space arms race.
In recent years, however, the Pentagon has loosened its position regarding systems with potentially offensive capabilities and has begun speaking more openly about their strategic necessity.
At the same time, the United States has promoted rules intended to encourage responsible behavior in orbit. Washington has also supported a ban on destructive anti-satellite testing, an initiative advanced during the Biden administration.
Space control may involve kinetic and non-kinetic systems
The term “space control” refers both to defensive actions intended to protect U.S. and allied space forces and to offensive operations designed to neutralize an adversary’s space capabilities.
Meink did not specify what types of weapons are currently in orbit. In theory, the systems could include kinetic weapons capable of physically destroying a target, as well as non-kinetic systems designed to jam, disrupt or otherwise interfere with satellite operations.
Weapons of mass destruction remain expressly prohibited under the Outer Space Treaty.
Orbital interceptors form part of the “Golden Dome” initiative
Space control weapons are not the only military systems the Pentagon plans to deploy in orbit.
Meink announced that the U.S. Space Force has obtained “flight-ready” hardware for space-based interceptors capable of destroying adversary missiles from orbit. These systems are expected to form a central component of the administration’s “Golden Dome” initiative.
First AMTI satellites scheduled for launch
The secretary also outlined additional U.S. space-related milestones. According to Meink, the first satellite in a planned constellation designed to detect and track airborne targets will be launched this month.
The systems, known as air-moving target indication satellites, will provide global coverage for monitoring adversary air platforms. Their mission will be supported by E-7 Wedgetail radar aircraft and other assets, including the Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
The Space Force aims to have an initial AMTI constellation operational by 2028. The program is backed by a multibillion-dollar award granted to SpaceX in May.
Air Force accelerates MMA drone program
During the same speech, Meink announced new targets for the Air Force’s developing drone programs.
The Massed Modular Aircraft, or MMA, is intended to replace the MQ-9A Reaper. After officials recently revealed plans to accelerate the program, Meink said the Air Force is targeting a fleet of 100 MMA drones by 2029 and 500 by 2032.
When the program was launched in July, the initial goal was far more limited: just 20 operational aircraft by fiscal year 2031.
500 CCA drones expected by 2032
The Air Force is also expanding its ambitions for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which is designed to develop uncrewed wingmen capable of operating alongside fighter jets.
Anduril and General Atomics were selected in June to lead production for the program’s first phase. Meink said the United States now expects to have 500 CCA drones in service by 2032.
He did not specify how many of those aircraft would come from the program’s first increment or how many would be developed through later production rounds.
First CCA drones receive official designations
The Air Force has also finalized the official designations for its first CCA drones.
Anduril’s FQ-44A will retain the name “Fury,” which is already used by the company. General Atomics’ FQ-42A, known internally as the “Dark Merlin,” will be officially designated “Vengeance” by the Air Force.
