US Military Confirms First Deployment of Weapons in Orbit

U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink publicly confirmed Monday that the United States has deployed "space control weapons" into orbit. This marks the first time the U.S. military has officially acknowledged such an action.

The announcement was made at the Air and Space Forces Association's annual Air, Space & Cyber Conference near Washington, D.C. Meink stated in prepared remarks that the technology, described as a weapon, is "capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action."

Pentagon leaders have become more open to discussing space warfare in recent years, and Space Force officials have previously expressed interest in acquiring space-based weapons. Meink's declaration was therefore not entirely unexpected.

The move is anticipated to generate international attention and potential reactions, particularly from major powers such as China and Russia, which have also been developing capabilities related to space threats.