unmanned systems Archives

Department of Defense, DOD, Pentagon — (DOD / Lisa Ferdinando)

Military services face sustainment burdens from Replicator systems

The Pentagon aims to field thousands of “attritable autonomous” systems across multiple domains by August 2025 to help the U.S. armed forces counter China’s military buildup.

May 15, 2024 By Jon Harper

Next-generation air dominance and CCA drone concept art (Lockheed Martin image)

Navy aiming for $15M price tag for CCA drones; avoid long-term sustainment costs

The sea service wants to acquire AI-enabled cooperative combat aircraft that are “consumable,” said Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, program executive officer for unmanned aviation and strike weapons.

Apr 8, 2024 By Jon Harper

Robotic Combat Vehicle prototype during soldier experimentation at the National Training Center, NTC, Fort Irwin, CA from July to September 2023. (Photo by Savannah Baldwin

Anduril, Palantir awarded contracts for Army robotic combat vehicle software system integration

The move comes as the Army is looking to acquire new unmanned platforms with autonomous capabilities.

Apr 3, 2024 By Jon Harper

Congress to DOD: Explain how you’re going to use and sustain Replicator drones

The 2024 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act would task the DOD to brief key committees on its plans for Replicator within 60 days of enactment.

Mar 21, 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

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 3, 2023) A global advanced reconnaissance craft is deployed in the Pacific Ocean during the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.1. IBP 23.1 is a U.S. Pacific Fleet experiment, executed by U.S. 3rd Fleet, operationalizing multi-domain employment of unmanned systems to create fleet warfighting advantages. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Derek Kelley)

CJADC2 needs a hedge to succeed

Using short-range uncrewed systems in each domain, a hedge force for Taiwan would act essentially as a mobile minefield, damaging transport vessels and warships in narrow “kill…

Mar 14, 2024 By Bryan Clark Dan Patt

A Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System launches munitions from a MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vehicle, attached to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 59, during Exercise Digital Talon in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 23. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Justin Stumberg)

Navy pulls trigger on new robotics warfare specialist rating

Robotics warfare specialists will be the Navy's subject matter experts for computer vision, mission autonomy, navigation autonomy, data systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning for uncrewed and…

Feb 22, 2024 By Jon Harper

Navy’s new ‘economic deterrence’ council aims to protect high-tech vendors from adversaries

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro established a Maritime Economic Deterrence Executive Council.

Feb 22, 2024 By Jon Harper

DIU consults Pentagon policy shop to move Replicator technology at ‘responsible speed’

Defense Innovation Unit officials are engaging closely with DOD’s policy team regarding the application of Directive 3000.09 for autonomous weapons.

Feb 14, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

At least 2 vendors will move into next phase of Air Force’s CCA drone program

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said a down-select is expected in the coming months.

Feb 13, 2024 By Mikayla Easley