US Army Creates Autonomous Systems Command to Speed Up Smart Weapons

The US Army is setting up a new autonomous systems command and appointing a dedicated procurement official to speed up the purchase and deployment of smart equipment. The move was ordered by acting Army Secretary Adam Tell.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced two projects, Meridian and Agincourt, focused on bringing robotics into future warfare. The memo calls for pushing autonomy in at least six types of Army units, including aviation, armor, support, and training forces.

The Army also named a procurement lead for the autonomous systems portfolio, with this fiscal year focused on autonomous firepower, combat vehicles, water resupply, breaching, surveillance, and target acquisition. Military leaders have long pushed for manned-unmanned teaming, a trend reinforced by drone performance in the Eastern European battlefield.