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

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

Unmanned surface platforms

Unmanned air platforms

Unmanned subsurface platforms

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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 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

$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