Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks today unveiled new developments in the Replicator initiative, aimed at advancing all-domain attritable autonomous (ADA2) systems. This initiative represents a significant push toward enhancing U.S. military capabilities with an initial investment targeting a series of unmanned systems across various domains.
The Department has confirmed funding of approximately $500 million for fiscal year 2024, supported by the defense appropriations bill and additional resources. These funds will enable the first tranche of capabilities, including uncrewed surface vehicles (USV), uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), and counter-uncrewed aerial systems (c-UAS).
"I am pleased to announce that the Department will begin investing in scalable production for these critical capabilities," Deputy Secretary Hicks stated. "We are taking an important step toward strengthening our defense and technology industrial base and demonstrating the Department’s ability to break down barriers to scaling innovation at speed, not just for ADA2 systems, but in developing new capabilities and processes for the Department and key stakeholders, including Congress."
One notable system to be fast-tracked is the Switchblade-600 loitering munition, produced by AeroVironment, based in Simi Valley, CA. These drones have already shown their effectiveness in Ukraine and are expected to enhance capabilities for U.S. forces.
“This is a critical step in delivering the capabilities we need, at the scale and speed we need, to continue securing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” remarked Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Additionally, the Department is leveraging a new fast-track process, the Production-Ready, Inexpensive, Maritime Expeditionary (PRIME) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), to diversify its vendor base for USVs. Launched in January 2024, the PRIME CSO has attracted over one hundred proposals from commercial technology companies, with contracts expected to be awarded this summer.
“The entire Department has come together to help make this a reality,” Admiral Paparo added.
While some capabilities of the Replicator remain classified, the initiative is set to further expand its portfolio with additional innovations in maritime and counter-UAS technologies.
"Meeting the strategic imperatives facing the nation requires that we harness the very best of America's commercial technology in non-traditional partners, alongside our traditional sources of defense capabilities," said Doug Beck, Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). "Replicator is doing just that."
The rapid development and deployment of these technologies aim to fill operational gaps and enhance readiness within an 18-24 month timeframe, as outlined by Deputy Secretary Hicks since the announcement of the Replicator initiative seven months ago.
“This is just the beginning,” asserted Admiral Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Replicator is helping us jumpstart the delivery of critical capabilities at scale. We will build on that momentum with industry partners to deliver what the warfighter needs, and remove barriers to doing so again and again.”
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