Kathleen Hicks Archives

Congress to DOD: Explain how you’re going to use and sustain Replicator drones

The 2024 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act would task the DOD to brief key committees on its plans for Replicator within 60 days of enactment.

Mar 21, 2024 By Jon Harper

U.S. Army Soldiers, assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, and the Artificial Intelligence Integration Center, conduct drone test flights and software troubleshooting during Allied Spirit 24 at the Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Germany, March 6, 2024. (U.S. Army photo by Micah Wilson)

Army proposing 3 systems for 2nd round of Replicator; 1 picked for initial tranche

The stated goal of Replicator is to deliver thousands of relatively low-cost, “attritable” unmanned systems in 18 to 24 months to help the Pentagon counter China’s military buildup.

Mar 20, 2024 By Jon Harper

Why the Pentagon didn’t request higher funding for AI in fiscal 2025

Adoption of the technology remains a top priority for the department, officials said.

Mar 11, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks speaks to members of the media at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2023. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Jack Sanders)

Hicks: DOD plans to invest about $1B into Replicator initiative in 2024-2025 time frame

The stated goal of Replicator is to deliver thousands of relatively low-cost, “attritable” autonomous systems across multiple domains in 18 to 24 months to help the Pentagon…

Mar 11, 2024 By Jon Harper

Switchblade 600 rendering (AeroVironment image)

Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones in the running for Replicator mass production

With a 24-mile range, 40 minutes of loitering endurance and the ability to fly at speeds of up to 115 miles per hour, Switchblade 600s are built…

Feb 2, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Pentagon updates decades-old classification policy for space programs

The new policies address issues around overuse of special access program designations, according to Assistant Secretary for Space Policy John Plumb.

Jan 18, 2024 By Mikayla Easley

Source: Defense Media Activity, DVIDS Screenshot from DOD video of UAP that Kirkpatrick presented in a public meeting of NASA’s Independent Study Team on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) on May 31, 2023.

Pentagon’s UAP investigation hub works to reach full operational capability

DefenseScoop got an update on the Anomaly Resolution Office's latest priorities.

Jan 10, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Kathleen Hicks takes a phone call from a senator shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing for Deputy Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C. Feb. 2, 2021. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

Hicks picks Replicator capabilities; Pentagon to brief key lawmakers

Now that capabilities have been narrowed down, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will at a later point select systems after engaging with Congress.

Jan 4, 2024 By Jon Harper

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the Threat Systems Management Office operate a swarm of 40 drones to test the rotational units capabilities during the battle of Razish, National Training Center on May 8th, 2019. (U.S. Army Photo by Pv2 James Newsome)

DIU to host tech summit for Replicator in early 2024

The summit will be hosted in the Washington D.C. area, where industry can learn about upcoming opportunities for Replicator and participate in workshops on how dual-use commercial…

Dec 1, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Hicks to host first international briefing on Replicator with UK counterparts

The deputy defense secretary will brief a key U.S. ally on her initiative to enable the Pentagon to field thousands of low-cost autonomous systems in less than…

Nov 27, 2023 By Brandi Vincent