It sure seems that way! Two recent articles discuss programs being undertaken by the U.S. Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop what are called either "micro" or "nano" satellites which could have offensive, anti-sattelite capabilities in the future.
The Space Review writes,
Right now, a pair of mysterious, highly-mobile microsatellites dubbed “MiTEx†is roaming about in geostationary orbit (GEO). Their mission and their capabilities are unknown; even their orbital position is classified. Lockheed Martin and Orbital Sciences Corporation each built one of the 225-kilogram microsatellites for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) built the upper stage.
The microsatellites are a part of the Microsatellite Demonstration Science and Technology Experiment Program (MiDSTEP), a joint effort between DARPA and the Air Force. In analyzing the budget justifications, the technologies to be demonstrated by MiDSTEP are consistent with some proposals for anti-satellite weapons. While the technologies can have other, more benign applications, there remains a serious concern about the United States developing anti-satellite capability when there has yet to be a full public discussion of the ramifications. {Caron, "Mysterious Microsatellites in GEO: Is MiTEx a Possible Ant-Satellite Capability Demonstration?", 2006}
New Scientist discusses a similar program:
Mini-satellites that could navigate autonomously and inspect other satellites in orbit are being developed by the US Air Force. The developers say the technology could one day be used to check the space shuttle or its successor for damage, while other experts say it could be used to disable “enemy†satellites in orbit. {Shiga, "ANGELS to Watch Over U.S. Air Force Satellites", 2006}
While some are expressing concern over the U.S. potentially developing anti-satellite capabilities, it must be remembered that the U.S. military is increasingly reliant on satellites of all types for navigation, intelligence, and communication. As it stands now, U.S. satellites are unprotected. Potential adversaries are getting wise to U.S. capabilities and vulnerabilities and will most likely seek to develop anti-satellite technologies of their own. Without the ability to protect its own satellites, the U.S. could be rendered deaf, dumb, and blind in the early stages of a conflict.
Tags: satellites, anti-satellite weapons, military, space weapons