U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued sweeping new directives to fast-track drone deployment and integration across all military branches, aiming to outpace Russia and China in the rapidly evolving domain of unmanned warfare. In a move to dismantle bureaucratic barriers, Hegseth declared that lethality "will not be hindered by self-imposed restrictions," authorizing frontline commanders to independently procure, test, and deploy small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including 3D-printed models.

The new policy reclassifies Group 1 and 2 drones—typically smaller, tactical UAS—as “consumable” weapons, similar to artillery shells or missiles. These systems will no longer be tracked as durable military assets, freeing them from legacy acquisition constraints. “Small UAS resemble munitions more than high-end airplanes,” Hegseth’s memo stated.

Bypassing Bottlenecks, Embracing Speed

Commanders at the colonel or Navy captain level can now bypass traditional chains of approval and directly engage in drone testing and fielding. Units are also cleared to conduct live-fire and swarm combat simulations. Additional mandates include three new UAS training ranges within 90 days, battery certifications in under a week, and 30-day deadlines for arming approvals.

AI and Industry Push

To support the surge, the Pentagon is building a searchable “Blue List” AI-driven platform cataloging approved drone vendors and performance metrics, set to be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency by 2026. Hegseth also committed to accelerating private sector involvement through advance purchase agreements, capital incentives, and prioritization of U.S. manufacturers.

Global Context and Urgency

The initiative comes amid a surge in drone warfare across Ukraine and the Middle East. Russia’s use of Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 drones, often in massive swarms, has highlighted the tactical importance of cheap, rapidly deployable UAS. Ukraine, too, has transformed commercial drones into battlefield tools. Hegseth cited these developments as a “wake-up call,” noting that adversaries already have a “head start.”

Looking Ahead

“All relevant combat training, including force-on-force drone wars, must integrate this capability by next year,” Hegseth emphasized, aligning the initiative with President Trump’s executive order on “Unleashing American Drone Dominance.” The move marks one of the most aggressive efforts yet to adapt U.S. military doctrine to the realities of 21st-century warfare.