Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) wants the US to recognize the “urgency” of the China space threat, given its recent successful shootdown of one of its own satellites. Speaking at a Heritage Foundation forum in Washington this week, Kyl said that the Iraq situation has diverted attention from a significant threat. Last week, a top Chinese military official said weapons in space is inevitable. Kyl is urging Congress and the Administration to provide additional funding to the Air Force next year to ensure the nation gets “serious about space security.”
Senators Want to Build Back MQ-9 Fleet by 2028
June 12, 2026
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said the MQ-9 proved to be the “most valuable player” of Operation Epic Fury—so valuable, in fact, that a key congressional panel wants to require the Air Force to grow its fleet of Reaper drones in the next few years.