U.S. Space Force General Douglas Schiess confirms use of weapons in orbit

Space Force General Douglas Schiess confirmed the U.S. military currently operates weapons in orbit during a State of the Space Force address, saying Guardians "operate on-orbit weapons that can defend the joint force against space-enabled attacks." Schiess cited the Victus Haze mission as an example, saying it demonstrated the ability to launch and respond to an on-demand, on-orbit threat in just 17 hours earlier this year. Video courtesy: U.S. Space Force and Air & Space Forces Association, from the 2026 Air, Space & Cyber Conference