The United States confirmed this week that it has deployed weapons in space.
“Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenge of evolving threats wherever they exist,” Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said during the AFA’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference. “This is why the Space Force now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action.”
Meink later elaborated it is “critically important that we maintain our dominance, not only in the air but in space. So, we’ve had to take steps to make sure that when we’re threatened, we can take care of that.” While he did not disclose greater detail of the development, Meink acknowledged, “We’re not going to talk about the specifics of what we’re doing, whether we’ve tested, not tested, or anything else. I would just say that the space environment is critical for military and economic security, and we need to make sure that the U.S. can operate freely there.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. Space Force activated a new mobile electronic warfare system capable of disrupting enemy satellites, adding another weapon to America’s growing arsenal of counterspace capabilities.
The system, called Meadowlands, is trailer-towed, which means troops can move it to forward positions and support combatant commands across multiple theaters. The system can detect, deny, disrupt and degrade enemy satellites and other electronic forces, according to the Space Force announcement.
“This upgraded system enables us to more effectively and efficiently support the joint scheme of maneuver across the continuum of conflict,” said Space Force Lt. Col. Ryan Skilling, commander of the 4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron.
