In a significant push towards advancing its autonomous systems capabilities, the Pentagon has outlined a strategic plan to invest $1 billion in drones over the next two years as part of its newly announced 'Replicator' initiative. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks highlighted the Department of Defense's (DoD) request for congressional support to allocate $500 million for the fiscal year 2024, with an additional $500 million sought for 2025.
The Replicator initiative, first unveiled by Hicks in late August 2023, aims to accelerate the production of "attritable" autonomous systems – drones and related technologies that are both cost-effective and capable of being produced in large quantities. Despite the ambitious financial commitment, Pentagon officials have kept specific details under wraps, including which drone systems have been selected for accelerated production and the exact sources of funding within the defense budget.
The initiative represents a concerted effort to streamline the Pentagon's procurement process, reducing internal barriers and focusing on rapidly deploying advanced technologies to the field.
"This is [a] pathfinder. It’s largely about reducing barriers inside our system and a process … but obviously there are dollars associated with [it],” Hicks stated during a Pentagon briefing.
As the Department of Defense navigates the complexities of budget allocations and congressional negotiations, Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller Mike McCord revealed that the Pentagon is seeking to include the proposed funding for Replicator in the upcoming fiscal year's appropriations. With the current continuing resolution prolonging budget deliberations, the DoD is prepared to explore alternative funding strategies, including the potential reprogramming of existing resources, should the requested $500 million not be incorporated into the final budget for 2024.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Pentagon has embedded a request for an additional $500 million into its budget submission, although the specifics of how this funding will be distributed remain undisclosed. The decision to keep certain details confidential is a strategic one, aimed at preserving operational security and flexibility in the program's early stages. "There was a debate which … about so-called ‘reveal, conceal’ [and] how much detail we want to put out,” McCord explained, indicating that the approach may evolve as the initiative progresses.
The Replicator initiative underscores the Pentagon's commitment to leveraging autonomous technologies and drones to enhance the U.S. military's capabilities. As this ambitious program unfolds, its impact on the future of warfare and defense innovation will be closely watched by industry experts and international observers alike.
.png)
