autonomous system Archives

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) (L) and ranking member Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) talk before a confirmation hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Senators amplify concerns about pace of fielding AI-enabled counter-drone systems

A report accompanying the Senate version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act highlighted members’ concerns about where things stand.

Jul 12, 2024 By Jon Harper

U.S. Soldiers from the Fort Hood, Texas-based 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and the Vilseck, Germany-based 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, participate in closing ceremonies for Iron Sword 2014 in Pabrade, Lithuania, Nov. 13. More than 2,500 troops from nine NATO countries, including Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the United States and the United Kingdom, participated in the two-week, multinational combined arms exercise, aimed at enhancing interoperability and ensuring readiness to complete offensive and defensive operations. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson)

Hicks urges NATO to grow industrial capacity, adopt Replicator-like systems

“We need to more rapidly and responsibly adopt new technologies wherever they can add military value — like ... all-domain attritable autonomous systems,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of…

Jul 9, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Neon sign top secret (Source: Getty Images)

Pentagon prepares to issue new classification rules for Replicator

According to a senior official, “the guidance for what will remain classified is not publicly releasable.”

May 21, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

NAVAL BASE CORONADO (May 15, 2024) – Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) from Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3) operate remotely in San Diego Bay ahead of the unit’s establishment ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Claire M. DuBois)

Navy stands up new robo-ship squadron as Pentagon pursues Replicator systems

USVRON Three, commanded by Capt. Derek Rader, will oversee a fleet of small uncrewed surface vessels.

May 20, 2024 By Jon Harper

Photo of Anduril’s Roadrunner-Munition drone that was designed for air defense missions. (Anduril image)

Lawmakers plan to press DOD to accelerate fielding of AI-enabled counter-drone capabilities

A provision in a subcommittee mark for the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill would require department leaders to lay out their plans to resource, transition and scale…

May 15, 2024 By Jon Harper

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks is walks with Director of the Defense Innovation Unit Doug Beck during a visit to the Defense Innovation Unit, Mountain View, California, Dec. 12, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Pentagon secures $500M for first tranche of Replicator systems

A stated goal of Replicator is to accelerate programs and field thousands of “attritable autonomous” systems across multiple domains by August 2025, to help the U.S. armed…

May 6, 2024 By Jon Harper

The X-62 VISTA flies in the skies over Edwards Air Force Base, California, March 23, 2023. (Air Force photo by Ethan Wagner)

Pentagon takes AI dogfighting to next level in real-world flight tests against human F-16 pilot

Officials provided an update on DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution program.

Apr 17, 2024 By Jon Harper

U.S. Army Soldiers, assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, and the Artificial Intelligence Integration Center, conduct drone test flights and software troubleshooting during Allied Spirit 24 at the Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Germany, March 6, 2024. (U.S. Army photo by Micah Wilson)

Army proposing 3 systems for 2nd round of Replicator; 1 picked for initial tranche

The stated goal of Replicator is to deliver thousands of relatively low-cost, “attritable” unmanned systems in 18 to 24 months to help the Pentagon counter China’s military buildup.

Mar 20, 2024 By Jon Harper

Finnish Marines prepare to board on a Swedish CB90-class fast assault craft ahead of an amphibious assault demonstration during the Nordic Response 24 military exercise on March 10, 2024, at sea near Sorstraumen, above the Arctic Circle in Norway. Nordic Response 24 is part of the larger NATO exercise Steadfast Defender. The exercise involves air, sea, and land forces, with over 100 fighter jets, 50 ships, and over 20,000 troops practicing defensive maneuvres in cold and harsh weather conditions. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP)

Latest NATO expansion includes massive increase in DIANA innovation accelerator sites

The number of DIANA accelerator sites across the multinational network will more than double, as will the number of related test centers, the alliance announced.

Mar 15, 2024 By Jon Harper

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks speaks to members of the media at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2023. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Jack Sanders)

Hicks: DOD plans to invest about $1B into Replicator initiative in 2024-2025 time frame

The stated goal of Replicator is to deliver thousands of relatively low-cost, “attritable” autonomous systems across multiple domains in 18 to 24 months to help the Pentagon…

Mar 11, 2024 By Jon Harper