(https://www.defenseone.com/apple-touch-icon.png) (../../../../../favicon-32x32.png) (../../../../../favicon-16x16.png) (../../../../../site.webmanifest)  The Pentagon must prepare for battles around the moon: Joint Chiefs chair - Defense One              (index.html)  (https://fonts.googleapis.com) (https://fonts.gstatic.com) (../../../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=Lobster&display=swap.css) (../../../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@family=Roboto+Slab%253A600%257CRoboto%253A300,300i,400,400i,500,500i,700,700i,900&display=swap.css) (../../../../../static/base/third_party/bootstrap/bootstrap-4/css/base-bootstrap.css)  (../../../../../static/compressed/django/css/defenseone-7517e5e9196e.css)              (Defense One)  (https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?sz=interstitial&c=592099352&iu=%2F617%2Fdefenseone.com%2Fwelcome&t=noscript%3Dtrue%26referring_domain%3DTyped%252FBookmarked%26level%3D0)       (https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?tile=1&sz=interstitial&c=14803177&iu=%2F617%2Fdefenseone.com%2Fwelcome&t=noscript%3Dtrue%26referring_domain%3DTyped%252FBookmarked%26level%3D1)       (https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?tile=2&sz=300x250&c=46809928&iu=%2F617%2Fdefenseone.com%2Fwelcome&t=noscript%3Dtrue%26referring_domain%3DTyped%252FBookmarked%26level%3D2)         Continue to the site       (index.html#main) Skip to Content Notice at Collection  Your Privacy Choices     (https://www.govexec.com/exercise-your-rights/) Exercise Your Privacy Rights     (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/09/us-military-has-orbit-space-weapons-air-force-secretary-reveals/415964/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks during the change of responsibility ceremony for Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 3, 2026.)   US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/maven-becoming-pentagons-everything-app/415882/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (A National Guard soldier looks at the interface of the Maven Smart System in Arlington, Virginia, Feb. 20, 2026.)   Maven is becoming the Pentagon’s everything app    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/russia-weaponizing-us-built-ai-make-killer-drones-cyberattack-bots-and-fake-news/415949/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (Russian President Vladimir Putin on a screen during a meeting of the United Russia Party, June 9, 2026, in Moscow, Russia.)   Russia is weaponizing US-built AI to make killer drones, cyberattack bots, and fake news    (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/orbit-weapons-space-force-leader/415999/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (Gen. Douglas Schiess speaks during his promotion ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Sept. 3, 2026.)   ‘It was time’ to admit US has weapons in orbit, Space Force’s new leader says    (https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/08/theres-no-shortcut-replenish-us-munitions-stockpiles/415558/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (The PAC-3 MSE.)   There’s no shortcut to replenish US munitions stockpiles    (https://www.defenseone.com/sponsors/2026/09/ga-asi-showcases-new-wildfire-uas-afa/415943/?oref=d1-skybox-post) sponsor content (A rendering of the new Wildfire platform. Image courtesy of GA-ASI.)   GA-ASI showcases new Wildfire UAS at AFA    (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/09/us-military-has-orbit-space-weapons-air-force-secretary-reveals/415964/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks during the change of responsibility ceremony for Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 3, 2026.)   US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/maven-becoming-pentagons-everything-app/415882/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (A National Guard soldier looks at the interface of the Maven Smart System in Arlington, Virginia, Feb. 20, 2026.)   Maven is becoming the Pentagon’s everything app    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/russia-weaponizing-us-built-ai-make-killer-drones-cyberattack-bots-and-fake-news/415949/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (Russian President Vladimir Putin on a screen during a meeting of the United Russia Party, June 9, 2026, in Moscow, Russia.)   Russia is weaponizing US-built AI to make killer drones, cyberattack bots, and fake news    (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/orbit-weapons-space-force-leader/415999/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (Gen. Douglas Schiess speaks during his promotion ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Sept. 3, 2026.)   ‘It was time’ to admit US has weapons in orbit, Space Force’s new leader says    (https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/08/theres-no-shortcut-replenish-us-munitions-stockpiles/415558/?oref=d1-skybox-post) (The PAC-3 MSE.)   There’s no shortcut to replenish US munitions stockpiles    (https://www.defenseone.com/sponsors/2026/09/ga-asi-showcases-new-wildfire-uas-afa/415943/?oref=d1-skybox-post) sponsor content (A rendering of the new Wildfire platform. Image courtesy of GA-ASI.)   GA-ASI showcases new Wildfire UAS at AFA              (https://www.defenseone.com/?oref=d1-nav) (Defense One)  (Defense One)    (https://www.defenseone.com/about/?oref=d1-nav) About  (https://www.defenseone.com/newsletters/?oref=d1-nav) Newsletters  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/podcast/?oref=d1-nav) Podcast  (https://www.defenseone.com/insights/?oref=d1-nav) Insights  (https://about.govexec.com/connect/) Advertise  (https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/) Forecast International       (Search)                     (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/?oref=d1-nav) Threats   (https://www.defenseone.com/policy/?oref=d1-nav) Policy   (https://www.defenseone.com/business/?oref=d1-nav) Business   (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/?oref=d1-nav) Science & Tech   (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/?oref=d1-nav) SYSTEMS   (https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/?oref=d1-nav) Ideas   (https://events.defenseone.com/) Events   (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/army) Army   (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/navy) Navy   (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/marine-corps) Marine Corps   (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/air-force) Air Force   (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/space-force) Space Force       (https://www.defenseone.com/about/?oref=d1-nav) About  (https://www.defenseone.com/newsletters/?oref=d1-nav) Newsletters  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/podcast/?oref=d1-nav) Podcast  (https://www.defenseone.com/insights/?oref=d1-nav) Insights  (https://about.govexec.com/connect/) Advertise  (https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/) DSM      (https://www.facebook.com/DefenseOne)     (https://x.com/DefenseOne/)     (https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-one/)     (https://www.defenseone.com/rss/all/)         Notice at Collection  Your Privacy Choices     (https://www.govexec.com/exercise-your-rights/) Exercise Your Privacy Rights        (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/?oref=d1-nav) Threats   (https://www.defenseone.com/policy/?oref=d1-nav) Policy   (https://www.defenseone.com/business/?oref=d1-nav) Business   (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/?oref=d1-nav) Science & Tech   (index.html#) Services  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/army) Army (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/navy) Navy (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/marine-corps) Marine Corps (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/air-force) Air Force (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/space-force) Space Force   (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/?oref=d1-nav) SYSTEMS   (https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/?oref=d1-nav) Ideas   (https://events.defenseone.com/) Events         Trending (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/industry/?oref=d1-nav-trending) Industry  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/space/?oref=d1-nav-trending) Space  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/space-force/?oref=d1-nav-trending) Space Force  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/ai-autonomy/?oref=d1-nav-trending) AI & Autonomy  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/pentagon/?oref=d1-nav-trending) Pentagon  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/artificial-intelligence/?oref=d1-nav-trending) Artificial Intelligence  (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/air-space-cyber-conference/?oref=d1-nav-trending) Air, Space & Cyber Conference       (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/09/us-military-has-orbit-space-weapons-air-force-secretary-reveals/415964/?oref=d1-skybox-post-mobile) US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/maven-becoming-pentagons-everything-app/415882/?oref=d1-skybox-post-mobile) Maven is becoming the Pentagon’s everything app     (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/russia-weaponizing-us-built-ai-make-killer-drones-cyberattack-bots-and-fake-news/415949/?oref=d1-skybox-post-mobile) Russia is weaponizing US-built AI to make killer drones, cyberattack bots, and fake news    (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/orbit-weapons-space-force-leader/415999/?oref=d1-skybox-post-mobile) ‘It was time’ to admit US has weapons in orbit, Space Force’s new leader says     (https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/08/theres-no-shortcut-replenish-us-munitions-stockpiles/415558/?oref=d1-skybox-post-mobile) There’s no shortcut to replenish US munitions stockpiles    (https://www.defenseone.com/sponsors/2026/09/ga-asi-showcases-new-wildfire-uas-afa/415943/?oref=d1-skybox-post-mobile) [SPONSORED] GA-ASI showcases new Wildfire UAS at AFA                  (Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 12, 2026.) (Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 12, 2026.)   Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 12, 2026.  SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images           Get all our news and commentary in your inbox at 6 a.m. ET.   (ge-rail-post)  (on)  email (Enter your email)  Register for Newsletter          Stay Connected  (https://x.com/DefenseOne/)    (https://www.facebook.com/DefenseOne)    (https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-one/)    (https://www.defenseone.com/rss/all/)            Insights & Reports  (https://www.defenseone.com/assets/firefighting-foresight-federal-cyber-defense/portal/?oref=d1-sidebar-insights-reports)   (https://www.defenseone.com/assets/firefighting-foresight-federal-cyber-defense/portal/?oref=d1-sidebar-insights-reports) From Firefighting to Foresight in Federal Cyber Defense  (https://www.defenseone.com/assets/firefighting-foresight-federal-cyber-defense/portal/?oref=d1-sidebar-insights-reports) Presented By Carahsoft & Splunk  (https://www.defenseone.com/assets/firefighting-foresight-federal-cyber-defense/portal/?oref=d1-sidebar-insights-reports) Download Now       (https://www.defenseone.com/assets/ai-protection-myth.png?oref=d1-sidebar-insights-reports)   (https://www.defenseone.com/assets/ai-protection-myth.png?oref=d1-sidebar-insights-reports) The AI Protection Myth  (https://www.defenseone.com/assets/ai-protection-myth.png?oref=d1-sidebar-insights-reports) Presented By OWL Cyber Defense  (https://www.defenseone.com/assets/ai-protection-myth.png?oref=d1-sidebar-insights-reports) Download Now          (https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2026/07/21/canadas-gcap-announcement-is-about-relationships-not-the-f-35/)        (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/) Threats  The Pentagon must prepare for battles around the moon: Joint Chiefs chair  Days after orbital weapons were revealed, Gen. Dan Caine ups the scope of the military’s desired reach. (https://www.defenseone.com/voices/thomas-novelly/27276/?oref=d1-post-author?oref=rf-post-author) Thomas Novelly    |  September 16, 2026 01:11 PM ET    (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/space/?oref=d1-article-topics) Space      (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/space-force/?oref=d1-article-topics) Space Force      (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/pentagon/?oref=d1-article-topics) Pentagon      (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/air-space-cyber-conference/?oref=d1-article-topics) Air, Space & Cyber Conference       (https://x.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&text=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair&via=DefenseOne)     (http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&mini=true&summary=Days+after+orbital+weapons+were+revealed%2C+Gen.+Dan+Caine+ups+the+scope+of+the+military%E2%80%99s+desired+reach.&source=DefenseOne.com&title=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair)     (https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?picture=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.defenseone.com%2Fmedia%2Fimg%2Fcd%2F2026%2F09%2F16%2Fcaine_GettyImages_2275249249%2F860x394.jpg&name=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair&app_id=1546266055584988&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&display=popup&description=Days+after+orbital+weapons+were+revealed%2C+Gen.+Dan+Caine+ups+the+scope+of+the+military%E2%80%99s+desired+reach.)     (mailto:?body=Days%20after%20orbital%20weapons%20were%20revealed%2C%20Gen.%20Dan%20Caine%20ups%20the%20scope%20of%20the%20military%E2%80%99s%20desired%20reach.%0A%0Ahttps%3A//www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/pentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman/416021/&subject=Defense%20One%3A%20The%20Pentagon%20must%20prepare%20for%20battles%20around%20the%20moon%3A%20Joint%20Chiefs%20chair)        (https://www.defenseone.com/voices/thomas-novelly/27276/?oref=d1-post-author) (Thomas Novelly) (Thomas Novelly)   By Thomas Novelly  Senior Reporter  September 16, 2026 01:11 PM ET   (https://x.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&text=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair&via=DefenseOne)     (http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&mini=true&summary=Days+after+orbital+weapons+were+revealed%2C+Gen.+Dan+Caine+ups+the+scope+of+the+military%E2%80%99s+desired+reach.&source=DefenseOne.com&title=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair)     (https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?picture=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.defenseone.com%2Fmedia%2Fimg%2Fcd%2F2026%2F09%2F16%2Fcaine_GettyImages_2275249249%2F860x394.jpg&name=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair&app_id=1546266055584988&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&display=popup&description=Days+after+orbital+weapons+were+revealed%2C+Gen.+Dan+Caine+ups+the+scope+of+the+military%E2%80%99s+desired+reach.)     (mailto:?body=Days%20after%20orbital%20weapons%20were%20revealed%2C%20Gen.%20Dan%20Caine%20ups%20the%20scope%20of%20the%20military%E2%80%99s%20desired%20reach.%0A%0Ahttps%3A//www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/pentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman/416021/&subject=Defense%20One%3A%20The%20Pentagon%20must%20prepare%20for%20battles%20around%20the%20moon%3A%20Joint%20Chiefs%20chair)      (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/space/?oref=d1-article-topics) Space      (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/space-force/?oref=d1-article-topics) Space Force      (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/pentagon/?oref=d1-article-topics) Pentagon      (https://www.defenseone.com/topic/air-space-cyber-conference/?oref=d1-article-topics) Air, Space & Cyber Conference           NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—  The U.S. military’s top uniformed leader says U.S. forces must be ready for war near or possibly even on the moon, a rhetorical leap that comes as service leaders are still wrestling with the legal frameworks surrounding its newly revealed orbital weapons. “Our task, my friends, is to adapt right now, so the Joint Force is prepared to fight, endure, and win, in global contested environments, from the seabed to cislunar space,” Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine told airmen, guardians, and industry figures during his keynote address at the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference. Caine later repeated the thought—“today’s modern battlefield operates from the seabed to cislunar space”—but he did not clarify whether he meant on the moon’s surface. U.S. law is ambiguous, (https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=42-USC-911736412-890728237&term_occur=1&term_src=title:42:chapter:159:section:18302) defining cislunar space as “the region of space from the Earth out to and including the region around the surface of the moon.” At least one Harvard Law Journal article (https://journals.law.harvard.edu/nsj/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2025/01/Giannoni-Crystal_16_Harvard_Natl_Sec_J_1._2025.pdf) interprets the clause to mean on the moon itself, and the White House’s National Cislunar Science and Technology Action Plan explicitly (https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cislunar-Implementation-Plan-Final.pdf) said in late 2024 that it includes the lunar surface. But the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 2021 “(https://www.afrl.af.mil/Portals/90/Documents/RV/A%20Primer%20on%20Cislunar%20Space_Dist%20A_PA2021-1271.pdf?ver=vs6e0sE4PuJ51QC-15DEfg%3D%3D) Primer on Cislunar Space ” appears to treat space and the moon’s surface as two different domains. Caine pointed to recent comments made about orbital weapons by the (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/09/us-military-has-orbit-space-weapons-air-force-secretary-reveals/415964/?oref=d1-homepage-top-story) Air Force secretary and the Space Force’s (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/orbit-weapons-space-force-leader/415999/?oref=d1-featured-river-secondary) chief of space operations . Top space force officials have been hesitant to provide more details on how they would operate in that domain and how they’d responsibly use space weapons in future conflicts. While top Space Force officials have provided few details about how U.S. forces would fight between the Earth and its moon, they have been vocal about adding sensors and capabilities to watch adversary movements there. Aaron Brynildson, a space law professor at the University of Mississippi said it’s understandable why the military would want to increase awareness within that region.  “There’s a fear that recent Chinese activity on the moon and in cislunar space might outpace the United States,” Brynildson said. “China has a relay satellite in cislunar space and is performing robotic missions on the far side of the moon.” The (https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html) Outer Space Treaty of 1967 , which the U.S. signed, outlaws certain military behaviors on the Moon and states that it shall be used “exclusively for peaceful purposes.”  “The establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapons and the conduct of military manoeuvres on celestial bodies shall be forbidden. The use of military personnel for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes shall not be prohibited.” Space Force Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, the head of Combat Forces Command, told reporters during a media roundtable that the 18th and 19th Space Defense Squadrons are now both sharing the cislunar mission among each other.  “Our adversaries, our potential adversaries, such as the PRC, are actively pursuing activities in the cislunar parts of space. So that's sort of the expansion, if you will, of I would say the end zone, if you will, in the football game,” he said. When asked if the Outer Space Treaty limits the military’s cislunar ambitions, Gagnon said it did not limit orbital operations. “The United States Space Force will continue to execute safe and responsible space operations in all regions of space and in all orbits,” he said. Brynildsonn said that while the treaty forbids the creation of military bases on the moon, “The U.S. needs better capabilities in cislunar space to ensure China complies with that obligation and doesn’t militarize the moon. There’s a real coverage gap by the U.S. that needs closing.” This week’s (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/09/us-military-has-orbit-space-weapons-air-force-secretary-reveals/415964/?oref=d1-homepage-top-story) revelation by Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess that the U.S. has on-orbit space-control weapons has raised legal questions about their responsible use. Experts have (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/orbit-weapons-space-force-leader/415999/?oref=d1-featured-river-secondary) speculated that the weapons are likely non-kinetic, such as jammers and electronic warfare capabilities. When asked whether U.S. policy limits the use of a kinetic space weapon, meaning a destructive capability that would cause debris, Gagnon deferred to policy offices.  “So we have capabilities in the military because we are preparing to defend the nation. The reason we have capabilities is to help create deterrence,” he said. “When you go to war, you break things.” Brynildson said it’s not clear how current laws limit the use of space weapons. “It’s unclear what the legal restraints on the use of kinetic or non-kinetic weapons in space might be. The Outer Space Treaty doesn’t give us great answers to what factors a military action must consider,” he said. “The DoD Law of War Manual is also non-committal on the unique aspects of the space domain. At a minimum, general principles from the law of armed conflict would apply, such as only striking military-related satellites, avoiding collateral damage to civilians, etc.” U.S. lawmakers are also concerned by the lack of space-focused military legal knowledge. A (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/07/does-space-force-have-enough-lawyers-tomorrows-wars-senators-want-know/414586/) provision inserted by the Senate Armed Service Committee in the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act tasks the Defense Department with assessing its “space law requirements” to face rising threats and examine “options for establishing a dedicated legal organization within the Air Force, Space Force, or Space Command.” The amendment adds that senators are “concerned that current legal, policy, and institutional structures within the Department of Defense may not have kept pace with the complexity of space operations.” Those clarified legal norms may not emerge until it’s too late. “Ultimately, I think the first space conflict might be the time when most of these rules get written,” Brynildson said.        Share This: (https://x.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&text=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair&via=DefenseOne)     (http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&mini=true&summary=Days+after+orbital+weapons+were+revealed%2C+Gen.+Dan+Caine+ups+the+scope+of+the+military%E2%80%99s+desired+reach.&source=DefenseOne.com&title=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair)     (https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?picture=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.defenseone.com%2Fmedia%2Fimg%2Fcd%2F2026%2F09%2F16%2Fcaine_GettyImages_2275249249%2F860x394.jpg&name=The+Pentagon+must+prepare+for+battles+around+the+moon%3A+Joint+Chiefs+chair&app_id=1546266055584988&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fthreats%2F2026%2F09%2Fpentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman%2F416021%2F&display=popup&description=Days+after+orbital+weapons+were+revealed%2C+Gen.+Dan+Caine+ups+the+scope+of+the+military%E2%80%99s+desired+reach.)     (mailto:?body=Days%20after%20orbital%20weapons%20were%20revealed%2C%20Gen.%20Dan%20Caine%20ups%20the%20scope%20of%20the%20military%E2%80%99s%20desired%20reach.%0A%0Ahttps%3A//www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/pentagon-battles-moon-joint-chiefs-chairman/416021/&subject=Defense%20One%3A%20The%20Pentagon%20must%20prepare%20for%20battles%20around%20the%20moon%3A%20Joint%20Chiefs%20chair)        NEXT STORY: (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/orbit-weapons-space-force-leader/415999/?oref=d1-next-story) ‘It was time’ to admit US has weapons in orbit, Space Force’s new leader says       (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/09/us-military-has-orbit-space-weapons-air-force-secretary-reveals/415964/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks during the change of responsibility ceremony for Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 3, 2026.)   US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/maven-becoming-pentagons-everything-app/415882/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (A National Guard soldier looks at the interface of the Maven Smart System in Arlington, Virginia, Feb. 20, 2026.)   Maven is becoming the Pentagon’s everything app    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/russia-weaponizing-us-built-ai-make-killer-drones-cyberattack-bots-and-fake-news/415949/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (Russian President Vladimir Putin on a screen during a meeting of the United Russia Party, June 9, 2026, in Moscow, Russia.)   Russia is weaponizing US-built AI to make killer drones, cyberattack bots, and fake news    (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/orbit-weapons-space-force-leader/415999/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (Gen. Douglas Schiess speaks during his promotion ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Sept. 3, 2026.)   ‘It was time’ to admit US has weapons in orbit, Space Force’s new leader says    (https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/08/theres-no-shortcut-replenish-us-munitions-stockpiles/415558/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (The PAC-3 MSE.)   There’s no shortcut to replenish US munitions stockpiles    (https://www.defenseone.com/sponsors/2026/06/platform-federal-agencies-trust-how-adobe-connect-expands-security-mission-readiness-and-workforce-transformation/413951/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) sponsor content ()   The platform federal agencies trust: How Adobe Connect expands security for mission readiness and workforce transformation    (https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/09/us-military-has-orbit-space-weapons-air-force-secretary-reveals/415964/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks during the change of responsibility ceremony for Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 3, 2026.)   US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/maven-becoming-pentagons-everything-app/415882/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (A National Guard soldier looks at the interface of the Maven Smart System in Arlington, Virginia, Feb. 20, 2026.)   Maven is becoming the Pentagon’s everything app    (https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/09/russia-weaponizing-us-built-ai-make-killer-drones-cyberattack-bots-and-fake-news/415949/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (Russian President Vladimir Putin on a screen during a meeting of the United Russia Party, June 9, 2026, in Moscow, Russia.)   Russia is weaponizing US-built AI to make killer drones, cyberattack bots, and fake news    (https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/09/orbit-weapons-space-force-leader/415999/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (Gen. Douglas Schiess speaks during his promotion ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Sept. 3, 2026.)   ‘It was time’ to admit US has weapons in orbit, Space Force’s new leader says    (https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/08/theres-no-shortcut-replenish-us-munitions-stockpiles/415558/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) (The PAC-3 MSE.)   There’s no shortcut to replenish US munitions stockpiles    (https://www.defenseone.com/sponsors/2026/06/platform-federal-agencies-trust-how-adobe-connect-expands-security-mission-readiness-and-workforce-transformation/413951/?oref=d1-earthbox-post) sponsor content ()   The platform federal agencies trust: How Adobe Connect expands security for mission readiness and workforce transformation                (https://www.defenseone.com/?oref=d1-footer) (Defense One)   (https://www.defenseone.com/about/?oref=d1-footer) About  (https://www.defenseone.com/about/contact/?oref=d1-footer) Contact  (https://about.govexec.com/connect/) Advertise  (https://www.govexec.com/about/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy  (https://www.govexec.com/about/terms-and-conditions/) Terms & Conditions   (https://www.nextgov.com/?oref=d1-footer) Nextgov/FCW  (https://www.govexec.com/?oref=d1-footer) Government Executive  (https://www.route-fifty.com/?oref=d1-footer) Route Fifty  (https://www.washingtontechnology.com/?oref=d1-footer) Washington Technology  (https://govtribe.com/?oref=d1-footer) GovTribe  (https://about.govexec.com/company/portfolio/) More    © 2026 by Government Media Executive Group LLC. All rights reserved.       (index.html#wrapper) Back to top     Almost There! Help us tailor content specifically for you: ()  ()  (1)  (on)  Full Name *    I Work For... *  () — select — (Department of Defense (Civilian)) Department of Defense (Civilian) (Department of Defense (Military)) Department of Defense (Military) (Federal Government) Federal Government (State/Local Government) State/Local Government (Government Contractor) Government Contractor (Private Sector) Private Sector (Retired) Retired      Agency/Department *  () — select — (Department of the Air Force) Department of the Air Force (Department of the Army) Department of the Army (Department of the Navy) Department of the Navy (Joint Chiefs of Staff) Joint Chiefs of Staff (National Intelligence Agency) National Intelligence Agency (Office of the Secretary of Defense) Office of the Secretary of Defense (Other Defense Agency) Other Defense Agency      Agency/Department *  () — select — (Air Force) Air Force (Army) Army (Coast Guard) Coast Guard (Navy) Navy (Marines) Marines      Agency/Department *  () — select — (Department of Agriculture) Department of Agriculture (Department of Commerce) Department of Commerce (Department of Education) Department of Education (Department of Energy) Department of Energy (Department of HHS) Department of HHS (Department of Homeland Security) Department of Homeland Security (Department of HUD) Department of HUD (Department of Interior) Department of Interior (Department of Justice) Department of Justice (Department of Labor) Department of Labor (Department of State) Department of State (Department of Transportation) Department of Transportation (Department of Treasury) Department of Treasury (Department of Veterans Affairs) Department of Veterans Affairs (EPA) EPA (Executive Office of the President/Vice President) Executive Office of the President/Vice President (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Federal Bureau of Investigation (Federal Communications Commission) Federal Communications Commission (Federal Trade Commission) Federal Trade Commission (GSA) GSA (Judiciary Branch) Judiciary Branch (Legislative Branch) Legislative Branch (NASA) NASA (National Institute of Health) National Institute of Health (OMB) OMB (OPM) OPM (SSA) SSA (USPS) USPS (Other Agency) Other Agency      Agency/Department *  () — select — (Government Association) Government Association (County) County (Municipal) Municipal (Special District) Special District (State) State      Agency/Department *  () — select —      Organization Function *  () — select — (Elected Official/Legislative/Executive Office) Elected Official/Legislative/Executive Office (Environment/Energy) Environment/Energy (Finance/Budget) Finance/Budget (Health & Human Services) Health & Human Services (Public Safety/Emergency Services/Law Enforcement) Public Safety/Emergency Services/Law Enforcement (Technology) Technology (Transportation/Utilities/Infrastructure) Transportation/Utilities/Infrastructure (Other) Other      Please Provide Your Org.'s Name *    Industry *  () — select —      Job Title *    Job Function *  () — select — (Agency Leadership) Agency Leadership (Business & Operations) Business & Operations (Communications & Marketing) Communications & Marketing (Financial/Contract Management) Financial/Contract Management (Human Resource Management) Human Resource Management (Technology Management) Technology Management      Country *  (United States) United States (EEA (European Economic Area)) EEA (European Economic Area) (Canada) Canada (Other) Other     Country Name *    Postal code *    Phone Number    Yes, I want to receive occasional updates from partners    I agree to the use of my personal data by Government Executive
                  Media Group and its partners to serve me targeted ads. (https://www.govexec.com/about/privacy-policy/) Learn more .      (Submit)      Thank you! Thank you for subscribing! Please check out our other newsletter offerings on our (https://www.defenseone.com/newsletters/) Newsletter page.  Close   ×   News, analysis, and ideas driving the future of U.S. defense: straight to your inbox.  Sign up for Defense One Today   (d1-mod-conv-dt)   My email is ...  (email@example.com)   I work for ...  () --select-- (Department of Defense (Civilian)) Department of Defense (Civilian) (Department of Defense (Military)) Department of Defense (Military) (Federal Government) Federal Government (State/Local Government) State/Local Government (Government Contractor) Government Contractor (Private Sector) Private Sector (Retired) Retired     Sign up     (https://www.govexec.com/about/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy   Almost There!  Help us tailor content specifically for you:   (d1-mod-conv-dt)    Full Name  ()   Agency/Department  () () --select-- (Department of the Air Force) Department of the Air Force (Department of the Army) Department of the Army (Department of the Navy) Department of the Navy (Joint Chiefs of Staff) Joint Chiefs of Staff (National Intelligence Agency) National Intelligence Agency (Office of the Secretary of Defense) Office of the Secretary of Defense (Other Defense Agency) Other Defense Agency (Air Force) Air Force (Army) Army (Coast Guard) Coast Guard (Navy) Navy (Marines) Marines (Department of Agriculture) Department of Agriculture (Department of Commerce) Department of Commerce (Department of Education) Department of Education (Department of Energy) Department of Energy (Department of HHS) Department of HHS (Department of Homeland Security) Department of Homeland Security (Department of HUD) Department of HUD (Department of Interior) Department of Interior (Department of Justice) Department of Justice (Department of Labor) Department of Labor (Department of State) Department of State (Department of Transportation) Department of Transportation (Department of Treasury) Department of Treasury (Department of Veterans Affairs) Department of Veterans Affairs (EPA) EPA (Executive Office of the President/Vice President) Executive Office of the President/Vice President (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Federal Bureau of Investigation (Federal Communications Commission) Federal Communications Commission (Federal Trade Commission) Federal Trade Commission (GSA) GSA (Judiciary Branch) Judiciary Branch (Legislative Branch) Legislative Branch (NASA) NASA (National Institute of Health) National Institute of Health (OMB) OMB (OPM) OPM (SSA) SSA (USPS) USPS (Other Agency) Other Agency (Government Association) Government Association (County) County (Municipal) Municipal (Special District) Special District (State) State   Organization Function  () () --select-- (Elected Official/Legislative/Executive Office) Elected Official/Legislative/Executive Office (Environment/Energy) Environment/Energy (Finance/Budget) Finance/Budget (Health & Human Services) Health & Human Services (Public Safety/Emergency Services/Law Enforcement) Public Safety/Emergency Services/Law Enforcement (Technology) Technology (Transportation/Utilities/Infrastructure) Transportation/Utilities/Infrastructure (Other) Other   Organization Name  ()   Job Function  () () --select-- (Agency Leadership) Agency Leadership (Business & Operations) Business & Operations (Communications & Marketing) Communications & Marketing (Financial/Contract Management) Financial/Contract Management (Human Resource Management) Human Resource Management (Technology Management) Technology Management   Phone number  ()   Zip code  ()  ()   Country  () (United States) United States (EEA (European Economic Area)) EEA (European Economic Area) (Canada) Canada (Other) Other   Country Name  ()    Yes, Defense One can email me on behalf of carefully selected companies and organizations.     I agree to the use of my personal data by Government Executive Media Group and its partners to serve me targeted ads. (https://www.govexec.com/about/privacy-policy/) Learn more .        Submit     (https://www.defenseone.com/newsletters/) More from Defense One (https://www.govexec.com/about/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy