DIU Archives

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)

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.

5 days ago By Brandi Vincent

Heven AeroTech’s Z1 drone (Credit: Heven AeroTech)

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.

5 days ago By Mikayla Easley

Flight test of Zone 5 Technologies’ drone interceptor. (Image courtesy of Zone 5 Technologies)

Pentagon awards more funding to refine drone interceptor technology for Navy

Two vendors are working on prototypes for DIU's Counter NEXT program.

Sep 29, 2025 By Jon Harper

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)

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.

Sep 19, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

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)

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.

Sep 16, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

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)

DOD touts ‘successful transition’ for Replicator initiative — but questions linger

The Defense Department has remained secretive about Replicator since its inception.

Sep 3, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

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)

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…

Aug 26, 2025 By Jon Harper

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)

Doug Beck resigns as DIU director

Doug Beck had led the Defense Innovation Unit since May 2023.

Aug 25, 2025 By Jon Harper

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)

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.

Aug 22, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

The U.S. Space Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mission Seven successfully landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, March 7, 2025. The X-37B landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, to exercise the service’s ability to recover the spaceplane across multiple sites. (U.S. Space Force courtesy photo)

Next X-37B space plane mission will test laser communications, quantum sensor for US military

This will be the eight mission for the Boeing-built space plane.

Jul 28, 2025 By Jon Harper