Pentagon’s growing list of ‘made in America’ drones has a loophole for certain parts made in China
Multiple sources told DefenseScoop that the majority of the drones cleared through the Blue UAS effort have motors that are sourced in China.
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A team of Department of Defense drone operators and experts test the technical capabilities of various Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) during a Defense Innovation Unit led prize challenge to identify platforms, components, and capabilities for Blue UAS, which clears and validates flying platforms are safe to fly, cyber-secure, and meet DOD requirements, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, on Nov. 2-6, 2024. (DOD photo by Devon Bistarkey, Defense Innovation Unit) Tech -
Heven AeroTech’s Z1 drone (Credit: Heven AeroTech) Emerging Tech DIU approves hydrogen-powered drone for Blue UAS list
Heven AeroTech’s Z1 drone is the first system that uses hydrogen fuel to be approved for the Pentagon’s Blue UAS Cleared List.
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U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit and the 310th Fighter Squadron participate in the annual weapons load competition, Feb. 7, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The load competition featured the loading of an AIM-120 AMRAAM, an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, and a GBU-12 with a time standard of 20 minutes. Exercises like the weapons load competition advance training by producing command focused Airmen able to meet warfighting requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson) Weapons Air Force puts out call to industry for new counter-air missiles
The Air Force is looking for ideas to develop an inexpensive munition that can be produced in the thousands each year under the Counter-Air Missile Program (CAMP).
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Flight test of Zone 5 Technologies’ drone interceptor. (Image courtesy of Zone 5 Technologies) Weapons Pentagon awards more funding to refine drone interceptor technology for Navy
Two vendors are working on prototypes for DIU’s Counter NEXT program.
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A Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant (WMEC 617) small boat crew interdicts two suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea, July 25, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Vigilant/DVIDS) Weapons DIU wants nonlethal weapons to disable small boats, amid US crackdown on drug cartels
“This has been a longstanding challenge and isn’t unique to narco-terrorists,” an expert analyst told DefenseScoop.
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A light stanchion with the flags of the United States and Israel on the road leading to the American embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo source: Getty Images) Tech House lawmakers propose the stand-up of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel
The House version of the fiscal 2026 NDAA would require the Pentagon to set up a new DIU hub overseas.
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A Soldier of the 25th Infantry Division fires a Switchblade 600 rocket from the Loitering Unmanned Systems Directed Requirement (LUS DR) system during a new equipment training at the Pohakuloa Training Area in Hilo, HI. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Antonio Deric, 25th Infantry Division) Weapons DOD touts ‘successful transition’ for Replicator initiative — but questions linger
The Defense Department has remained secretive about Replicator since its inception.
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Emil Michael appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his nomination to become undersecretary of defense for research and engineering in Washington, D.C. March 27, 2025. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom) Tech Pentagon CTO Emil Michael becomes acting director of DIU
Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for researching and engineering and the Pentagon’s CTO, has taken on the role of acting director of the Silicon Valley-headquartered Defense Innovation Unit in the wake of Doug Beck’s resignation, DefenseScoop has learned.
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Defense Innovation Unit Director Doug Beck speaks to Master Sgt. Joshua Shelly, Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, about the Neros Archer drone during the AI+ Expo in Washington D.C., June 2, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean) Tech Doug Beck resigns as DIU director
Doug Beck had led the Defense Innovation Unit since May 2023.
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LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (Oct. 24, 2023) A prototype unmanned surface vehicle (USV) made by Saronic Technologies transits Lake Travis, Texas, during testing of an autonomous over-the-horizon solution conceived by student researchers at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). (U.S. Navy photo) AI Navy moves to buy autonomous maritime drones from Saronic via $392M OTA
Details are sparse regarding the specific features, types and quantities of unmanned vessels Saronic will deliver.