The Defense Department, with aid from market, will increase production and fielding of drones to keep battlefield superiority.
On July 16at the Pentagon, 18 American-made drone models were on display screen.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who visited the screens, said the drones that are produced utilizing off-the-shelf parts for quick production are examples of disruptive thinking.Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, stated the prototypes on display screen went from idea to advancement in simply an average of 18 months, a process that normally uses up to 6 years.The department will continue to rapidly innovate and scale up production of drones and other systems using cost, strength, firepower and variety as driving aspects, which are areas DOD wants to surpass, Michael said.Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael deliver remarks to journalism while touring multi-domain self-governing display screens at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., July 16, 2025.
DoD picture by U.S.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander KubitzaHegseth stated in aJuly 10, 2025, memorandumthat hes rescinding limiting policies that hindered drone production.Drones are the most significant battlefield development in a generation, accounting for the majority of this years casualties in Ukraine.
Our adversaries jointly produce millions of low-cost drones each year, he said, keeping in mind the U.S.
military is doing not have needed quantities of deadly little drones.The secretary said there are 3 goals: Prioritizing the purchase of American-made drones and parts with assistance from markets personal capital; Arming combat units with low-cost drones made by Americas world-leading engineers and expert system professionals; andTraining with drones in reasonable battlefield scenarios, led by leaders who are not risk averse.President Donald J.
Trump said he supports decreasing regulatory uncertainty and enhancing approval and accreditation processes for safe and safe drone production.Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael trip multi-domain autonomous display screens in the courtyard of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., July 16, 2025.
DoD image by U.S.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander KubitzaAlso, the Federal Aviation Administration and DOD will collaborate to enhance the approval procedures to expand access to airspace for carrying out drone training, Trump said.Top Photo: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael deliver remarks to journalism while visiting multi-domain autonomous display screens at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., July 16, 2025.
DoD picture by U.S.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander KubitzaSource: U.S.
Department of Defense