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autonomous systems

A Barracuda unmanned surface vessel undergoes testing in southern Ukraine, on March 30, 2026. The multifunctional drone boat is developed by the Barracuda unit of the 40th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade, part of the 30th Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Navy. It features a modern tracking system, remote control, and artificial intelligence elements. (Photo by Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Unmanned warfare has now expanded to the high seas. Is the U.S. ready?

The American military’s recent success with autonomous platforms — as well as the unmanned advances of partners like Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan — offers three main lessons…
Oct 7, 2026 By Vice Adm. Michael Connor (ret.) Yoni Tobin
An aerial view of the National Mall, including the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, the Jefferson Memorial, the Tidal Basin and the Pentagon from Air Force One as it departs on September 26, 2026 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)

Bonnie Evangelista to lead drone buying on Pentagon’s new DRPM-UxS team

She previously helped co-found the Defense Department's Tradewinds Marketplace for commercial AI and data products.
Oct 6, 2026 By Brandi Vincent
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2026 in Quantico, Virginia. Secretary Hegseth delivered his State of the Force address to junior officers, enlisted leaders, and special guests including Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

U.S. creates new Autonomous Warfare Command to fuse and enhance military drone ops

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled AutoWarCom during his “State of the Force” address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
Sep 30, 2026 By Brandi Vincent
U.S. Navy Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources Vice Adm. John Skillman leads a town hall meeting onboard NSA Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brendan McCormack)

Trump nominates Skillman as vice chief of naval operations

The nomination comes as the Navy is pursuing a wide-ranging modernization agenda.
Sep 30, 2026 By Jon Harper
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Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle shakes hands with Rear Adm. Melvin Smith, commander of Submarine Group Two (COMSUBGRU 2), at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Robotic and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Norfolk, Virginia, Sept. 24, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Navy creates warfighting development center in Virginia to determine how the sea service will employ unmanned systems in future battles

The new organization will bring “operational coherence” to the service’s drone integration efforts, according to CNO Adm. Daryl Caudle.
Sep 25, 2026 By Jon Harper
SAN DIEGO (Aug. 6, 2025) – Seahawk, a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) prototype, departs Naval Base Point Loma, California, Seahawk is a fully unmanned and autonomous vessel operated by Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron (USVRON) 1 and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific in support of technology development, testing and evaluation. The surface force is integrating unmanned vessels into the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn)

Navy prepares to add new sea drones and vendors to online marketplace

The sea service released a call for solutions as it pursues medium unmanned surface vessels.
Sep 24, 2026 By Jon Harper
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