The Department of War is rapidly industrializing its approach to unmanned systems to maintain a competitive edge on the modern battlefield. Moving beyond small-scale experimentation, the Department is now prioritizing high-volume production, streamlined acquisition, and the integration of autonomous technology into core military doctrine. This shift reflects a strategic pivot toward “robot-on-robot” warfare, ensuring that the United States can field attritable, low-cost assets at a scale that outpaces global adversaries.
The Drone Dominance Program and Industrial Scaling
At the heart of this transformation is the Drone Dominance program, a $1 billion initiative designed to saturate the battlespace with small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The Department of War intends to utilize a “gauntlet” model—a series of iterative production competitions—to identify vendors capable of rapid scaling.
Starting in early 2026, the first gauntlet seeks to produce 30,000 one-way attack drones. As the program progresses, the goal is to drive unit costs down from $5,000 to as low as $2,300. This aggressive pricing strategy signals a move toward treating unmanned systems as consumable munitions rather than exquisite, long-term platforms.
DAWG and the Evolution of Replicator
While the previous Replicator initiative paved the way for autonomous innovation, the effort has evolved into the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG). This group focuses on larger, longer-range attack platforms that complement the smaller systems found in the Drone Dominance campaign. By conducting live-fire exercises and wargames, DAWG ensures that autonomous platforms can operate effectively in contested environments. Leaders emphasize that the U.S. must achieve superiority in both small-scale tactical drones and larger operational unmanned systems to secure future victory.
Streamlining Procurement via the Blue List
To simplify how warfighters access these technologies, the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) launched the US-X “Blue List” website. This platform serves as a centralized, vetted marketplace for trusted drones and components. By 2027, the Department expects this to become a full-scale digital storefront, allowing commanders to bypass traditional, slow-moving procurement hurdles.
Operational Integration in the U.S. Army
The U.S. Army is already translating these high-level policies into tactical reality. Recent summits have demonstrated how lethal drone effects and modular payloads are being integrated into lower echelons. The Army is also establishing new training pipelines to ensure soldiers are proficient in operating these systems. This decentralization of innovation ensures that the latest technology reaches the front lines faster than ever before.
