U.S Speed Up Domestic Production of Low-Cost Drones For Battlefield Use
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a major plan to increase the domestic production of low-cost drones to maintain an edge on the battlefield. This effort will be done in partnership with private industry to speed up manufacturing and deployment.
On July 16, the Pentagon showcased 18 prototypes of drones made in the U.S., demonstrating quick development and smart design. These drones use off-the-shelf parts, making it easier and faster to build them while cutting down on costs.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who visited the display, called the drones “examples of disruptive thinking.” In a July 10 memo, he announced that old rules that slowed down drone production are now being removed.
“Drones are the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, causing most of this year’s casualties in Ukraine,” said Hegseth. He also warned that America’s enemies are producing millions of cheap drones, while the U.S. does not yet have enough lethal small drones.
Emil Michael, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, pointed out that these drones went from idea to prototype in just 18 months, a process that usually takes up to six years. He said that future efforts will focus on four key things: low cost, durability, firepower, and range.
The Pentagon’s plan includes three main goals:
-
Focusing on buying American-made drones and parts through private investment.
-
Giving combat units low-cost drone systems built by U.S. engineers and AI experts.
-
Improving training with realistic battle exercises led by strong commanders.
To support this plan, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on June 6 to speed up drone production using advanced commercial tech. He also supported cutting regulations and making the approval process faster and more efficient for drone manufacturing in the U.S.
This move shows a big shift in U.S. defense planning—focusing on rapid, low-cost drone production to stay ahead in modern warfare.
✍️ This article is written by the team of The Defense News.
