Space Force has 'space control weapons' on orbit, Air Force secretary reveals

Key Points:

• The US Space Force has publicly acknowledged deploying "space control weapons" in orbit, marking the first official confirmation of American weapon systems circling the earth, according to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink.
• These space control weapons are designed to defend against hostile actions in space and may include kinetic and non-kinetic systems, though specific details about the weapons remain undisclosed.
• Meink emphasized the necessity of deterrence by discussing space weapons openly, citing concerns over similar developments by China and Russia, who are believed to be pursuing orbital weapon capabilities.
• The Space Force has also developed flight-ready hardware for space-based missile interceptors under the Golden Dome initiative, and plans to launch air-moving target indication (AMTI) satellites this month to enhance global surveillance of air threats.
• The Air Force aims to accelerate drone programs, targeting fielding 100 Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) drones by 2029 and 500 by 2032, alongside plans to deploy 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones by 2032 as part of its evolving unmanned systems strategy.