Department of War Establishes Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems to Ensure American Drone Dominance

The Department of War today announced the comprehensive consolidation of all Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (UxS) under a newly established, direct-report position to the Deputy Secretary of War. This strategic priority aims to rapidly accelerate the development, procurement, and fielding at scale of autonomous capabilities, which are essential to maintaining the United States’ decisive military advantage.

“This structural reorganization directly implements a series of decisive actions taken by the administration. Drones and autonomous systems represent the most consequential battlefield innovation of this generation,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell. “Adversaries collectively produce millions of unmanned systems each year across all domains. While global military production has skyrocketed over the last three years, the United States must move at the speed this moment demands to field these capabilities at scale and secure our tactical and strategic edge.”

Last year, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Orders directing the reform of the Department’s acquisition processes to ensure the United States Military possesses the most lethal warfighting capabilities in the world, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” which directed the DoW to procure, integrate, and train using low-cost, high-performing drones manufactured in the United States, and “Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty,” establishing critical authorities to counter growing adversary unmanned threats. Following these directives, Secretary Hegseth issued an implementing memorandum on July 10, 2025, committing the Department to bolstering the domestic drone manufacturing base, arming combat units with low-cost unmanned systems, and training the joint force to fight and win with these capabilities.

To establish an immediate operational baseline and consolidate specialized expertise, the DRPM- UxS will provide direct oversight and direction for all unmanned activities, functions, and associated programmatic funding lines currently assigned to the Department of War to include Services Components, Joint Interagency Task Force 401, the Defense Innovation Unit, and the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group.

The Secretary of War’s memorandum can be found here.