Washington, D.C. – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is mandating that every US Army squad be equipped with small, one-way attack drones by the end of fiscal year 2026. This initiative also empowers troops to modify small drones in the field, aiming to overcome policy and acquisition barriers.
Unleashing Drone Dominance: Hegseth’s Directive
„While global military drone production skyrocketed over the last three years, the previous administration deployed red tape,” Hegseth wrote in the „Unleashing US Military Drone Dominance” memo. „US units are not outfitted with the lethal small drones the modern battlefield requires.” The directive supports the industrial base, reforms acquisition, and fields new technology for warfighters, prioritizing lethality without self-imposed restrictions.
Rescinding Restrictive Policies: Empowering Warfighters
Hegseth rescinds several DoD policies that hindered drone production and access, delegating procurement and operation authorities to warfighters. These include:
- The 2022 „Exception to Policy Requirement for Blue Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems” memo.
- A 2021 memo outlining guidance for the operation and procurement of UAS to implement Section 848 of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
Revising Training Standards: Adapting to Rapid Technological Advancements
Hegseth directs the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to revise the Joint Unmanned Aircraft Systems Minimum Training Standards (3255.01), excluding Group 1 and 2 drones and updating the definition of Group 3 drones. This aims to address outdated policies and adapt to the rapid advancements in UAS technology.
A Drone For Every Squad: FPVs as Expendable Ammunition
Hegseth wants troops to have the ability to modify drones as needed, and by October 2026, each Army squad should be outfitted with small, „expendable” drones, such as first-person view (FPV) drones. The Army is working through acquisition plans and exploring FPV usage in combat. The service is acquiring FPVs through commercial purchases and 3D printing and is expected to launch an official program called Purpose-Built, Attritable Systems (PBAS).
Prioritizing Use and Roll Back Policy : Consumable Commodities
To encourage drone usage, Hegseth is reversing the policy that deems all drones „durable,” which led to hesitations among soldiers due to potential investigations for lost drones. Small UAS should be cheap, rapidly replaceable, and categorized as consumable.
Experimental Formations: Rapid Scaling Across the Joint Force
By September 1, Hegseth directs the services to establish active-duty experimental formations to explore the rapid scaling of small UAS across the joint force by 2026, with Indo-Pacific units prioritized.
