U.S. Reveals Orbital Weapons and Cislunar Combat Plans

The United States Department of Defense has publicly acknowledged for the first time the deployment of on-orbit space control weapons designed to defend joint forces against hostile adversary actions. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess revealed the capabilities during the Air, Space and Cyber Conference, stating the weapons provide explicit deterrence against Russia and China. While technical details remain classified, a Space Force spokesperson noted that space-control missions utilize both kinetic and non-kinetic methods to disrupt, degrade, or destroy adversary capabilities.

Expanding the scope of operations, General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced that U.S. troops must now prepare for combat in cislunar space, the region between high Earth orbit and the moon. This strategic shift follows U.S. monitoring of Chinese satellites conducting coordinated "dogfighting" maneuvers in low Earth orbit. To support these goals, the Space Force has requested a $71.3 billion budget for fiscal 2027 and plans to double its personnel to 25,000 members over five years.

China and Russia have condemned the disclosures. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged the U.S. to stop its military buildup, citing the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned the move could incite a space arms race. U.S. officials maintain that the weapons are conventional and do not violate the treaty, which specifically bans weapons of mass destruction in orbit.