US Defence Department Consolidates Drone Operations Under New Autonomous Systems Office

US Defence Department Consolidates Drone Operations Under New Autonomous Systems Office

July 2, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The US Department of War has created a new leadership structure to bring the military’s unmanned and autonomous systems programmes under a single direct-report position to the deputy secretary of war, as Washington seeks to accelerate drone development, procurement and deployment.

The new position, Deputy Responsible Portfolio Manager for Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (DRPM-UxS), will oversee military activities, funding lines and programmes linked to unmanned systems across the department, including service components, Joint Interagency Task Force 401, the Defense Innovation Unit and the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group.

The restructuring is part of a wider effort by the administration to expand the US military’s ability to develop and deploy autonomous technologies as drone warfare becomes a central feature of modern conflicts.

“Drones and autonomous systems represent the most consequential battlefield innovation of this generation,” said Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman. He said rival nations are producing millions of unmanned systems annually across different domains, requiring the US to increase the speed and scale of its own capabilities.

The Pentagon said the move follows executive orders signed by President Donald Trump last year directing changes to defence acquisition processes and calling for expanded production and integration of domestically manufactured drones.

A subsequent memorandum issued by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in July 2025 directed the department to strengthen the US drone manufacturing base, equip combat units with lower-cost unmanned systems and train military forces to operate in environments increasingly shaped by autonomous technology.

The new structure will centralise expertise and coordination across existing unmanned programmes, with the DRPM-UxS responsible for providing oversight of development, procurement and operational integration.

The Pentagon said the reorganisation is intended to ensure the US maintains a technological advantage as military powers compete to expand autonomous capabilities.

Source: FSX Business News