The second iteration of the Pentagon’s Replicator rapid-fielding initiative will concentrate on countering small drones, with plans to request funds for the initiative within the fiscal 2026 price range, in line with Protection Division leaders.
Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin introduced “counter small uncrewed aerial programs,” or C-SUAS, because the Replicator 2 focus space in a memo final week to senior Pentagon leaders. His choice follows a monthslong evaluate that thought of what functionality gaps may very well be greatest addressed by way of the fast fielding initiative.
“Replicator 2 will deal with the warfighter precedence of countering the menace posed by small uncrewed aerial programs to our most crucial installations and power concentrations,” he stated within the memo, which was launched publicly on Monday. “My expectation is that Replicator 2 will area meaningfully improved C-sUAS safety to important property inside 24 months of Congress approving funding.”
Championed by Deputy Protection Secretary Kathleen Hicks, Replicator’s aim is to create a brand new pathway for the Pentagon to purchase and scale high-need capabilities on quicker timelines.
The primary take a look at of that pathway, Replicator 1, facilities on delivering 1000’s of low-cost drones by subsequent summer time. The division plans to spend a complete of $1 billion on the hassle in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, with funds drawn from varied sources together with prior-year appropriations, a reprogramming request, a nationwide safety supplemental accredited in August, and the Pentagon’s yet-to-be accredited FY25 price range proposal.
As DOD leaders started deliberating this summer time on what to pursue in Replicator 2, they centered on capabilities that might deal with a near-term operational crucial and would profit from senior chief backing, Hicks instructed Protection Information in June. In line with Austin’s memo, the necessity to defend in opposition to rising threats posed by enemy drones suits the invoice.
Hostile drones pose a serious problem to the U.S. and its allies and have featured closely in conflicts in Ukraine and the Center East. Since final fall, Iran-backed teams have used drones, uncrewed floor vessels and anti-ship ballistic automobiles to launch dozens of assaults on U.S., allied and industrial delivery vessels within the Purple Sea. The incidents have disrupted world commerce in key waterways and killed three service provider sailors.
In line with a June 13 report from the Protection Intelligence Company, 65 international locations and 29 main vitality and delivery corporations have been affected or have needed to alter their routes in response to those aggressions.
DOD officers have stated the division is taking a layered method to defending in opposition to enemy drones, which means the U.S. will pursue a variety of capabilities to disable these programs, from digital warfare to kinetic weapons. The army companies have numerous ongoing applications to develop these programs.
Led by the Protection Innovation Unit, Replicator 2 will leverage these present efforts to assist the companies area counter-UAS capabilities extra rapidly and in bigger numbers. In line with Austin, DIU will work intently with the army companies, the Counter Uncrewed Techniques Warfighter Senior Integration Group and Pentagon acquisition chief Invoice LaPlante, who serves as DOD’s C-sUAS principal employees assistant.
“I’m assured the Replicator initiative will complement and advance the numerous C-sUAS work already underway within the DOD,” Austin stated. “The expectation is that Replicator 2 will help with overcoming challenges we face within the areas of manufacturing capability, know-how innovation, authorities, insurance policies, open system structure and system integration, and power construction.”
Courtney Albon is C4ISRNET’s area and rising know-how reporter. She has lined the U.S. army since 2012, with a concentrate on the Air Drive and Area Drive. She has reported on a few of the Protection Division’s most vital acquisition, price range and coverage challenges.
