The United States has publicly acknowledged for the first time that it possesses offensive space weapons in orbit. US Air Force Secretary Troy Maink stated that these assets are intended to protect American troops and to ensure «control of space». The official did not disclose the type of system or its specific capabilities.
Briefly about the main points
- Troy Maink has confirmed the presence of US offensive weapons in orbit.
- The system is intended to be used to protect US troops.
- The minister did not disclose the type, specifications or operating principle of the weapon.
- An anonymous source at the WP suggested the possibility that an enemy satellite might have been destroyed.
- The measures announced should not be confused with the Golden Dome programme.
The statement was made at a conference in Maryland
Maink He announced the deployment of these assets on 14 September at the Air, Space & Cyber Association conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Following his speech, he specifically emphasised that the reference to weapons in orbit was deliberate.
The official declined to specify whether the system was kinetic or non-kinetic, or whether it had undergone testing. According to him, acknowledging its existence could act as a deterrent to the enemy, whilst a detailed description would undermine that effect.
Information about the system’s capabilities remains limited
An American official, speaking to *The Washington Post* on condition of anonymity, stated that the system may be designed to destroy an enemy satellite if it is used to attack American forces or satellites. This does not confirm either the mechanism of operation or the class of assets deployed.
Maink also mentioned the Space-Based Interceptor programme, which forms part of the Golden Dome initiative, for which initial capability is potentially planned to be deployed by 2028. It is not considered to be the same as the already established orbital space control assets.
