NATIONAL HARBOR — Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated that the US Space Force has "on-orbit space control weapons" capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action. He made the announcement during the opening keynote address at the Air & Space Forces Association's Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on September 15, 2026.

Meink declined to specify whether the on-orbit weapons are kinetic or non-kinetic systems. "We're not going to talk about the specifics of what we're doing, whether we've tested, not tested, or anything else," he said. Meink added that the phrasing of his announcement regarding on-orbit weapons was "very well thought out."

Victoria Samson, Secure World Foundation Chief Director of Space Security and Stability, reacted to the disclosure. "Well, that's huge, because I don't think any US government official has ever said that before," Samson said. She noted the potential for reciprocal actions from other global powers.

"The US also now has to accept the Chinese and Russians doing/saying the same. I don't think that this is going to be in the interest of US national security," Samson said. She stated she guesses the weapons are space-based jammers or electronic warfare rather than kinetic weapons due to government comments about avoiding debris.

The US Space Force states on its website that China develops and operates space and counterspace capabilities as part of a military modernization strategy. The service also states on its website that Russia views space as a warfighting domain and believes space supremacy will be a decisive factor in future conflicts.

Meink stated that the Space-Based Interceptor program advanced from an initial contract to flight-ready hardware in less than a year. The Space Force aims for initial operational capability of the Space-Based Interceptor program by 2028.

In May 2026, SpaceX received a $4.2 billion contract to build the Space-Based Air-Moving Target Indication constellation. He stated that the first satellites for the Space-Based Air-Moving Target Indication constellation are scheduled to launch in September. Israel Aerospace Industries has expressed interest in participating in the Golden Dome project.

Timeline

SpaceX received a $4.2 billion contract in May to build the Space-Based Air-Moving Target Indication constellation. In August 2026, General Michael Guetlein stated that all providers in the Space-Based Interceptor competition are progressing exceptionally well. Guetlein also stated in August that the service has executed two phenomenally successful tests of space-based interceptors.

He stated in August that contractors for the Golden Dome program completed Gate One, which focused on design work and component testing.

What's New

A US Space Force spokesperson stated that space control employs kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities through disruption, degradation, and destruction if necessary. A US Space Force spokesperson stated that space control capabilities can be employed for offensive and defensive purposes at the direction of combatant commands. Victoria Samson stated, "The US also now has to accept the Chinese and Russians doing/saying the same. I don't think that this is going to be in the interest of US national security."

Victoria Samson stated she guesses the weapons are space-based jammers or electronic warfare rather than kinetic weapons due to government comments about avoiding debris. Victoria Samson stated, "Well, that's huge, because I don't think any US government official has ever said that before." General Michael Guetlein stated that the service has executed two phenomenally successful tests of space-based interceptors.

Why It Matters

The public acknowledgment of on-orbit space control weapons marks a shift in US policy transparency regarding space weaponry. This development occurs within the context of a December 2025 executive order on American space superiority that directed agencies to counter threats to American interests in space. The order also called for demonstrations of missile-defense technologies connected to the Golden Dome program.

The announcement invites discussion on how adversaries such as China and Russia may respond to this public acknowledgment of US offensive and defensive space capabilities. The US Space Force notes that both nations view space as a critical warfighting domain. The specific kinetic or non-kinetic technologies that constitute the on-orbit space control weapons remain unspecified.