Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has initiated a significant overhaul of the Pentagon’s drone strategy, aiming to expedite production and deployment in response to global competition. This move, first reported by Fox News Digital, underscores an aggressive effort to surpass Russia and China in unmanned warfare capabilities. Hegseth’s directives dismantle previous bureaucratic barriers, allowing military commanders greater autonomy in procuring and testing drones.

Streamlining Drone Acquisition and Testing

In a bold shift, commanders ranked colonel or captain can now independently acquire and test drones, including innovative 3D-printed models and commercial systems, provided they meet national security standards. This autonomy extends to immediate operation and training with drones, bypassing traditional approval processes. The memos redefine small drones as consumables rather than durable assets, simplifying their acquisition and management.

Enhancing Training and Operational Capabilities

Hegseth’s plan includes expanding training ranges and establishing three new national UAS test sites within 90 days. The initiative also mandates faster responses from Weapons Boards for drone arming requests and expedites battery certifications. These measures aim to integrate drone capabilities into all relevant combat training by next year, with a focus on force-on-force drone warfare scenarios.

Addressing Global Drone Warfare Trends

The Pentagon’s strategy comes amid increasing evidence of drones’ lethal effectiveness in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East. Drones have transformed modern warfare tactics, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces utilizing them for intelligence gathering and targeted attacks. Notably, Iran’s Shahed-136 drones have played a pivotal role in Russian assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Building a Robust Drone Ecosystem

To support this initiative, the Pentagon plans to create a dynamic digital platform cataloging approved drone components and vendors. This “Blue List” will be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency by 2026. Additionally, the Pentagon will pursue advance purchase commitments and other financial incentives to boost the U.S. drone industry, prioritizing domestic companies for major purchases.

Hegseth anticipates that these efforts will establish U.S. dominance in unmanned aerial systems by 2027, aligning with investment strategies outlined in former President Trump’s executive order on drone dominance.