Pentagon to hold classified meeting on Russia and China's space weapon plans

The Pentagon will hold a classified meeting next week to discuss Russia and China's possible plans to obtain novel space weapons, a publicly posted agenda shows. 

The discussion follows Russia's launch of a missile to destroy a Soviet-era satellite and China's apparent test of a hypersonic glide vehicle, Defense News reported.

Adm. Charles Richard, chief of U.S. Strategic Command, said China tested a capability "never before seen in the world."

He warned that China's new vehicle means "decreased warning timelines, difficulties in attribution and an increased threat to our traditional space and missile defenses and forces."

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, his deputy Kathleen Hicks and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl will meet Sept. 6 and 7 with the Defense Policy Board advisory group to discuss China and Russia's possible plans. 

The meeting will focus on the U.S. response to potential threats and "how China and Russia’s potential development of fractional orbital bombardment systems and space-to-ground weapons could impact U.S. deterrence and strategic stability," the agenda states.