unmanned systems Archives

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 23, 2025) The Secretary of the Navy John Phelan at the U.S. Naval Academy’s class of 2025 graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (U.S. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey)

SECNAV Phelan orders major shakeup in Navy’s robotic, autonomous systems enterprise

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan issued a new memo Wednesday to department leaders.

Sep 4, 2025 By Jon Harper

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

Adm. Daryl Caudle salutes the sideboys during a U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) Relinquishment of Command ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, August 6, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dustin Knight/Released)

Adm. Caudle sworn in as chief of naval operations

Adm. Daryl Caudle promised to accelerate the sea service’s push for AI, unmanned system and networking capabilities, as he steps into the role of CNO.

Aug 25, 2025 By Jon Harper

(Image courtesy Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company)

Sikorsky lands Army contract to modernize Black Hawk helicopters to carry and launch drones

Upgrades to the UH-60 Black Hawks will allow the helicopters to carry and deploy the Army's "launched effects" drones, expected to field in 2026.

Aug 20, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

Launched effects are expected to bring a critical capability to the Army with advanced teaming between crewed and uncrewed systems to detect, identify, locate, and report pacing threats in contested environments. (Photo by Shawn Nesaw)

Army issues solicitation for ‘launched effects’ autonomous drones

Army leadership has directed program officers to field the drones to every division and Multi-Domain Task Force in 2026.

Aug 6, 2025 By Jon Harper

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), utilizes the 1MC announcement system from the bridge of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) to address the crew during a ship visit, Aug. 13, 2024. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan T. Beard)

Senate confirms Adm. Daryl Caudle as chief of naval operations

Caudle will be the first Senate-confirmed CNO since Trump fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti from that post in February without explanation.

Aug 1, 2025 By Jon Harper

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosts a drone demonstration at the Pentagon, July 10, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac Llanez Delgado)

Hegseth directive on ‘unleashing U.S. military drone dominance’ includes deadlines for major overhauls

Hegseth referred to uncrewed systems as “the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation.”

Jul 10, 2025 By Jon Harper

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel Torres and Staff Sgt. Maxwell Carlson place an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle on level ground during a UUV Recovery rehearsal for exercise Kaiju Rain on Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, April 17, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kira Ducato)

U.S. military is on the hunt for killer UUVs

DIU is trying to find solutions that meet the U.S. military’s need for undersea kamikaze drones and UUVs that can be launched from submarines.

Jul 9, 2025 By Jon Harper

A Boeing unmanned MQ-25 aircraft is given operating directions on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Hillary Becke)

Billions for new uncrewed systems and drone-killing tech included in Pentagon’s 2026 budget plan

The Defense Department rolled out information to reporters Thursday on its FY26 budget request.

Jun 26, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

Navy removes flag officer who oversaw acquisition of unmanned maritime systems

The Navy on Tuesday relieved Rear Adm. Kevin Smith as program executive officer for unmanned and small combatants.

May 27, 2025 By Jon Harper