U.S. Department of Defense to Launch “Replicator” Initiative to Integrate Uncrewed Systems at Scale

DefenseScoop reports that Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks unveiled a plan to scale the deployment of uncrewed and autonomous systems in the U.S. military, “at a scale of multiple thousands, in multiple domains,” over the next two years.

The program, called “Replicator,” will be led by Hicks, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Christopher Grady, and supported by Doug Beck.

Drone advocacy group the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) commented on the program, saying that Replicator may help both the military and commercial drone industry.

“Support for a strong and secure domestic autonomous systems industry represents a strategic imperative in the new era of strategic global competition. DoD programs across all domains have identified uncrewed systems as essential tools for strategic deterrence and the future of warfare, and we applaud Secretary Hicks for taking bold action to get these tools into the hands of…