The U.S. Army is accelerating its pivot toward autonomous warfare, announcing a new Futures and Autonomous Systems Command to integrate unmanned capabilities across aviation, armor, and reconnaissance. This reorganization reflects a strategic shift driven by lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where the prevalence of drones has forced military planners to rethink traditional procurement timelines. Defense officials at the Association of the United States Army's annual conference in Washington, D.C., described an environment where the speed of technological obsolescence now rivals the pace of weapon development.
Army Under Secretary Mike Obadal stated that the service's priorities are directly reflected in its procurement decisions, noting that the conference floor was crowded with drones and counter-drone systems. Obadal said Ukraine had "cemented" counter-unmanned aerial systems as a critical component of modern operations. To support this shift, the Army expanded drone and counter-drone marketplaces at the conference, aiming to allow the U.S. and its allies to purchase pre-approved systems in days rather than months.
Ondas, a defense technology company, demonstrated several systems highlighting this transition. Its Scout, a four-legged robotic system, is designed to move ahead of troops into dangerous areas like buildings and tunnels, sending imagery back to operators. Eric Brock, CEO of Ondas, explained that if the robot takes fire, it is preferable to a soldier being injured. The company also showcased IonStrike, a kinetic interceptor designed to physically destroy incoming drones, including Shahed-class attack vehicles. Brock noted that newer versions of these threats are faster and require more autonomous defense systems to defeat.
Beyond physical interceptors, Ondas demonstrated Dronebuster, a handheld device that uses electronic warfare to jam or spoof communications and navigation links. The company has since released an extended-range variant currently undergoing testing by the Office of Naval Research. This layered approach addresses different threat types; electronic attack may suffice for some drones, while others operating without vulnerable radio links require physical interception. Brock pointed to Ukraine as an example of this rapid cycle, where defenders have developed effective counters to Russian Shahed drones, prompting Russia to build faster, harder-to-stop versions.
Production capacity poses a distinct hurdle alongside technological development. Ondas has secured more than $240 million in orders under the Army's $982 million Lethal Unmanned Systems contract. This includes an additional order worth more than $50 million announced in August. The company also acquired DZYNE Technologies in a deal valued at roughly $875 million, adding a portfolio of drones and counter-drone weapons. Brock emphasized that the U.S. must produce these systems to scale to match adversaries.
To manage the complexity of these networks, Ondas has partnered with Palantir on software designed to connect sensors, drones, and command systems into a larger autonomous network. Its SkyWeaver system uses AI to link intelligence and mission planning across multiple domains. Brock described this as a move from individually autonomous platforms to "mission autonomy," where intelligence from high-altitude balloons and long-endurance aircraft is integrated with smaller drones and ground systems.
The Army is also seeking more affordable solutions through competitions offering up to $20 million for interceptor technology that can defeat air and missile threats at sustainable costs. War Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at the conference that the Department of Defense is working toward a four-star-led Autonomous Warfare Command. Brock concluded that while the technology for fast interceptors and autonomy is ready, the larger challenge remains whether the U.S. can produce these systems in the mass quantities required for future conflicts.