Air Force Secretary Troy Meink revealed Monday that the United States now operates space control weapons in orbit, marking the first public acknowledgment of such capabilities by a senior Pentagon official.

Meink made the statement during the opening keynote at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. “This is why the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action,” he said.

The announcement comes after years of warnings from U.S. officials about offensive maneuvers by China and Russia in space, including jamming, lasers, and other threats to American satellites. Meink described the disclosure as intentional and carefully worded for deterrence purposes.

Officials provided no details on the specific weapons, their numbers, launch dates, or whether they are kinetic or non-kinetic systems. Meink declined further elaboration during follow-up sessions, noting only that the phrasing was “very well thought out.”

The revelation aligns with broader U.S. efforts to maintain dominance in space amid growing adversary capabilities. Meink stressed the need to protect critical space assets that support military operations and economic functions.

Alongside the weapons announcement, Meink highlighted progress on related programs under the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative. The Space-Based Interceptor program reached flight-ready hardware in under a year, with potential initial capability targeted for 2028. The Space Force also plans to begin launching satellites for a Space-Based Air-Moving Target Indication constellation this month, supported by a major contract with SpaceX.

Experts noted the statement represents a shift from prior reluctance to discuss U.S. space weapons publicly. The move could influence international dynamics in orbit, where space is increasingly viewed as a contested domain.

Meink emphasized that the United States must remain prepared to counter threats wherever they arise to safeguard joint forces and national interests.