The U.S. Space Force recently acknowledged its operation of orbital weapons during a presentation at the Air & Space Forces Association conference. Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess confirmed that Space Force personnel, referred to as “Guardians,” actively use space-based weaponry to defend against space-enabled attacks.
Although details about the types and numbers of these weapons remain unspecified, the acknowledgment highlights the growing military presence in space aimed at ensuring national security. Gen. Schiess emphasized the strategic importance of space in both military operations and communication, noting that adversaries like China and Russia are developing significant counter-space systems to challenge U.S. advantages.
The Space Force is ramping up its capabilities, including initiatives like the Golden Dome missile interception system and major contracts with private aerospace companies. Schiess pointed to recent missions, such as the Victus Haze, as evidence of the Space Force’s readiness to respond promptly to threats.
He described the operations of individual Guardians, emphasizing their role in using non-kinetic approaches such as electromagnetic warfare to disrupt adversarial capabilities. Schiess underscored that the goal of these expansions is not to provoke conflict but to deter it, positioning the Space Force as a vital component in the U.S. military’s strategy.
