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Contracts · Autonomy

SOUTHCOM commander wants unmanned river reconnaissance system, Breaking Defense reports

Breaking Defense reports that SOUTHCOM's commander wants a tailorable mix of unmanned surface, air and subsurface platforms for river reconnaissance.

U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. Francis Donovan is interested in a river reconnaissance system combining unmanned surface, air and subsurface platforms, Breaking Defense reported Oct. 26. The outlet describes a concept in which an autonomous vessel would sail South and Central American rivers to conduct reconnaissance and collect data.1

SOUTHCOM commander wants river reconnaissance system, Breaking Defense reports

U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. Francis Donovan's stated interest

Unmanned surface platforms
Unmanned air platforms
Unmanned subsurface platforms
River reconnaissance systemConcept: a tailorable mix of autonomous platforms

Donovan expressed interest in the system.

Reported by Breaking Defense, October 26, 2026

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Donovan described SOUTHCOM's Autonomous Warfare Command as a place for U.S. and allied forces to train and experiment with unmanned technology, including at a facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Industry and other federal agencies are invited to bring systems, and Donovan said he wants partners to test platforms in the command's area of responsibility.1

In the Oct. 13 interview, Donovan said the command wants to understand how criminal networks use rivers to transport narcotics and foliage to conceal vessel assembly sites. He said competition for joint resources makes unmanned platforms more attractive to SOUTHCOM.1

Saronic-made Corsair unmanned surface vessels have moved to Guantanamo and have also been deployed on either side of the Panama Canal, Donovan said.1

The interview Breaking Defense reported identifies a specific reconnaissance interest for autonomy suppliers alongside an invitation to participate in SOUTHCOM's broader training and experimentation effort. The report names no solicitation, funding line, experiment or vendor for the river system itself.1

Sources (1)
  1. Breaking Defense, "EXCLUSIVE: SOUTHCOM chief seeks unmanned river solution as he embraces autonomy," Oct. 26, 2026 breakingdefense.com
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Industry · Unmanned and counter-UAS

Pentagon reports fielding over 24,000 counter-drone systems for CENTCOM

The Pentagon cites approximately $782 million invested this year across counter-drone systems, one-way attack drones and unmanned vessels, with deliveries to more commands planned.

The Department of War reports fielding more than 24,000 counter-drone systems for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) this year through Joint Interagency Task Force 401. They are part of more than 25,000 autonomous and counter-unmanned systems delivered to CENTCOM's area of responsibility by the department's unmanned-systems portfolio office.1

Pentagon reports fielding more than 24,000 counter-drone systems for CENTCOM

Fielded this year for U.S. Central Command; counts reported by the Department of War

More than 24,000Counter-unmanned aerial systems
Over 1,300One-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles
Over 100Unmanned surface and underwater vessels

Source: Department of War release. As of Nov. 4, 2026.

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The department cites an investment of approximately $782 million this year for fielding by the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS). The office's deliveries also include over 1,300 one-way attack drones and over 100 unmanned surface and underwater vessels. The release names no suppliers, contract vehicles or system models.1

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed DRPM-UxS to lead Project Agincourt.2 The department describes the fielding effort as the operational foundation for the planned Autonomous Warfare Command, a four-star functional combatant command. The command is scheduled to stand up by Oct. 1, 2027.1

The office plans to sustain deliveries to CENTCOM while expanding fielding pipelines to Pacific Command, European Command and the broader Joint Force.1

Sources (2)
  1. Department of War: DRPM-UxS Deliver Over 25,000 Autonomous and Counter-Unmanned Systems to CENTCOM AOR www.war.gov
  2. Department of War: Secretary Hegseth Announces Six Major Initiatives at Quantico Speech www.war.gov
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Budget · Autonomy

Autonomous Warfare Command startup funding hinges on reconciliation, Defense One reports

Defense One reports the Pentagon is seeking startup money through a separate reconciliation bill whose passage is uncertain.

The Department of War requested $54 billion earlier this year for the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group, Defense One reports. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has said the group would help launch the Autonomous Warfare Command. The administration requested the money alongside other military priorities through a separate reconciliation bill outside the $1 trillion defense budget.1

Defense One: Autonomous Warfare Command startup funding remains a request

Funding request and command establishment target

$54 billionRequested for the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group
October 1, 2027Target establishment date for the Autonomous Warfare Command

Defense One reports Hegseth said the group would be used to launch the command. The requested money sits in a separate bill whose passage is uncertain.

Reported by Defense One, Oct. 25, 2026; Secretary of War memo. As of Oct. 25, 2026.

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Hegseth said at an Oct. 14 panel that the command would become the Pentagon's official purchaser of autonomous technology, but offered few other details. The startup money remains a request, with passage of the funding bill uncertain.1

A Pentagon official, who was not authorized to speak on the record, reiterated the $54 billion reconciliation request when Defense One asked about a backup funding plan.1

Hegseth's memo says the command will possess directed manpower, budget and acquisition authorities. It directs collaboration with Congress to secure necessary legislation, with a target establishment date of Oct. 1, 2027. It requires a plan of action and milestones within 30 days, identifying resources and required authorities.2 Defense One reports the plan is due at the end of October.1

John G. Ferrari, an American Enterprise Institute nonresident senior fellow and retired two-star general, told Defense One reconciliation money must arrive by Christmas, before the new Congress is seated in January. Without it, he said, the Pentagon could still stand up the organization, but it won't have the buying power necessary to meet its mission. Mark Cancian suggested drawing acquisition money from the services, an alternative he told the outlet would be difficult.1

Sources (2)
  1. Defense One: Funding, force-structure issues could hinder Hegseth's new autonomous command (Oct. 25, 2026) www.defenseone.com
  2. Secretary of War memo: Project Agincourt - Pathway to the Autonomous Warfare Command media.defense.gov
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