Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirms the Space Force already has weapons in orbit
In a first for the Pentagon, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the Space Force already has on-orbit space control weapons that can respond to hostile threats. Per DefenseScoop and Air & Space Forces Magazine.
Speaking at the AFA Air, Space and Cyber Conference near Washington, D.C. on September 14, 2026, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the Space Force now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending against hostile adversary action - the first time a Pentagon official has publicly confirmed the U.S. operates weapons in space. Meink did not disclose what the weapons are, how many exist, or their capabilities. He also highlighted related programs: a $4.2 billion SpaceX contract awarded in May for a new satellite-based tracking constellation, with the first satellites launching this month, and a separate Space-Based Interceptor program under the Golden Dome missile-defense initiative that has moved from initial contract to flight-ready hardware in under a year, with a possible initial capability by 2028. Sources: DefenseScoop, Air & Space Forces Magazine.