US has deployed a space weapon, air force secretary says - BBC

**U.S. Deploys First Operational Space Weapon, Air Force Secretary Confirms**

Washington – In a statement that marks a historic shift in military doctrine, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told the BBC that the United States has “successfully deployed a weapon system in orbit” as part of the U.S. Space Force’s expanding defensive portfolio. The announcement follows a brief acknowledgement by the Space Force earlier this month that a classified capability has been placed on a satellite platform, making it the first openly confirmed kinetic or directed‑energy system positioned beyond Earth’s atmosphere. While the exact nature of the weapon remains undisclosed for security reasons, officials indicated it is intended to counter high‑altitude threats such as hypersonic glide vehicles and anti‑satellite projectiles.

The deployment aligns with a broader Pentagon roadmap that calls for the fielding of up to 500 counter‑space assets (CCAs) by 2032, according to a recent Defense Daily analysis. The program, dubbed the Space‑Based Anti‑Missile and Threat Interceptor (SB‑AMTI), is slated to launch its first operational unit later this month. Proponents argue that the capability fills a critical gap in the United States’ ability to protect its satellite constellations and maintain strategic deterrence against adversaries that are rapidly advancing their own anti‑satellite technologies. However, the move has reignited debate over the interpretation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which bans the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit but is ambiguous on conventional arms.

International reaction has been mixed. NATO allies have expressed cautious support, emphasizing the need for “responsible” use of space‑based defenses, while China and Russia have condemned the step as a destabilizing militarization of space. Congressional leaders have called for a review of the program’s compliance with existing space law and its implications for future arms‑control negotiations. Independent security experts warn that the deployment could spur an arms race in orbit, urging transparency and multilateral dialogue to establish norms that prevent escalation while preserving the safety of the shared space environment.