The United States has deployed a weapon into orbit that it intends to use “to protect its military forces.” This was announced by Troy Meink, a senior US Air Force official, at an air, space, and cyber conference in Maryland, The Washington Post reports.
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“This marks the first time the US has acknowledged possessing its own offensive space capabilities, following years of warnings that China and Russia are conducting offensive maneuvers in orbit—such as the use of lasers or jamming—that threaten American satellites,” the publication notes.
The US agency did not disclose exactly what had been launched into space. According to Meink, the new capability is designed to establish control over space and serve as a deterrent. A source within the defense establishment clarified that the stated capabilities could include the destruction of an adversary’s satellite. Such a scenario would be considered if a spacecraft were used to target US troops or an American satellite.
At the same time, the United States is developing a network of space-based missiles for the “Golden Dome” missile defense system. Meink did not reveal why the US decided to publicly announce the existence of the orbital weapon at this particular time, explaining instead that a range of factors influence such decisions.
“It is important from a deterrence standpoint,” the Air Force official stated. According to him, the new weapon will protect US troops against “hostile actions by an adversary.”
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