The U.S. Space Force is about to employ new weapons to jam intelligence collection by China and Russia. The military is moving to field two new ground-based satellite jammers — L3Harris’ Meadowlands and a Remote Modular Terminal (RMT) built by Northstrat and CACI — adding to the existing Counter Communications System, according to Bloomberg.
The systems are being dispersed globally and can be operated remotely. Meadowlands is in final training and expected to be fielded this year, while RMTs are in limited early use overseas, Bloomberg reported.
Grave threat
China is rapidly scaling up tools that can interfere with or damage satellites, and Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations of the United States Space Force, told the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission that this buildup amounts to a “grave threat” to the United States.
In written testimony summarized by Defense One, Saltzman China’s portfolio includes missiles and ground-based lasers expected to be fielded before the end of the decade; laser systems already capable of disrupting or degrading satellite sensors; and the routine use of jammers against space-based communications, radars, and even the Pentagon’s extremely high-frequency systems.
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Saltzman also said Beijing is working on a satellite “kill web” designed to find, track, and target forces on Earth.
The Space Force’s Space Threat Fact Sheet states that the People’s Liberation Army benefits from 510 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capable satellites and regularly employs jammers against space-based systems.
Counter systems
Bloomberg reports that the Meadowlands and the RMT will counter Chinese and Russian ISR satellites and can be operated remotely; earlier reporting stated that the U.S. planned to purchase up to 32 Meadowlands and 24 RMTs.
Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation told Bloomberg the additions mark three “openly acknowledged offensive counter-space systems” now fielded by the U.S. Space Force.
To coordinate effects, the Space Force is establishing a Space Electromagnetic Tactical Operations Center that leverages “Bounty Hunter” sensors to track interference and adversary spacecraft.
The Space Force’s Space Threat Fact Sheet states that China had more than 1,189 satellites in orbit as of July 2025, including over 510 ISR-capable systems. Additionally, China is developing DA-ASAT missiles, orbital “inspection” systems that could be weaponized, ground-based lasers and extensive jamming capabilities.
What’s next
Defense One says Space Force aims to grow beyond ground-based systems over time, but Saltzman warned the service is “critically unfunded” for the full set of missions.
