The Pentagon’s Replicator drone program has reached a new milestone with the announcement of its first major procurements, encompassing a vast array of autonomous systems intended to bolster US defense capabilities. The program’s inaugural acquisitions include “uncrewed surface vehicles (USV), uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and counter-uncrewed aerial systems (c-UAS) of various sizes and payloads from several traditional and non-traditional vendors,” as Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks stated.
Replicator will also “accelerate fielding” of the Switchblade-600 loitering munition. This potent weapon has already seen use in various conflict zones and is capable of neutralizing armored vehicles from a distance exceeding 24 miles. The Pentagon has earmarked about half a billion dollars for Replicator in the current fiscal year, with a request for an additional $500 million for fiscal 2025.
Under the auspices of the Replicator program, the Army’s acquisition head, Doug Bush, has noted that the Army was the program’s “biggest participant… in terms of quantity,” with the Switchblade-600 being part of the first tranche. This munition, having demonstrated its utility in Ukraine, is expected to provide enhanced capabilities to US forces.
The initial deployment of Replicator systems aims to deploy thousands of all-domain attritable autonomous (ADA2) systems. The funding strategy for this deployment is meticulously planned, with about $300 million sanctioned from the defense appropriations bill and additional funds sourced from existing authorities and Defense-wide channels.
The allocation of Replicator-related funds is intended to enhance the LASSO program, with Doug Bush, the Army’s procurement head, recognizing the significance of the Switchblade 600 in this effort. Furthermore, the first phase will broaden the maritime sector by incorporating various unmanned surface vessels. The Defense Innovation Unit, having received over a hundred applications via an expedited process, is set to grant multiple contracts this summer for these USVs.
The Pentagon’s approach towards the Replicator initiative is multifaceted, dealing not only with the procurement of these advanced systems but also the development of operations concepts, data quality enhancement, compliance with policy guidelines, and the establishment of common autonomy AI architectures.
As the Department of Defense gears up for the execution of this bold initiative, Deputy Secretary Hicks has lauded the first steps toward reinforcing the US defense and technology industrial base. “We are taking an important step toward strengthening our defense and technology industrial base. And, we are demonstrating the Department’s ability to break down barriers to scaling innovation at speed not just for [all-domain attritable autonomous] systems, but in our ability to develop new capabilities and processes for the Department and key stakeholders, including Congress.”
Adm. Samuel Paparo, the new commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, has commended the recent developments, asserting, “This is a critical step in delivering the capabilities we need, at the scale and speed we need, to continue securing a free and open Indo-Pacific.” The Pentagon is now poised to execute on the Replicator tranche one, which will either see the awarding of new contracts or the modification of existing ones to align with the initiative’s investments.
Relevant articles:
– The D Brief: Replicator takes off; Xi’s Europe trip; US freezes GPS bombs to Israel; Space Force pushback; And a bit more., Defense One, 05/07/2024
– Pentagon’s Replicator Program Moves Forward With Army Drones, GovCon Wire, 05/07/2024
– Pentagon secures $500M for first tranche of Replicator systems, DefenseScoop, 05/06/2024
– Pentagon outlines systems, funding for first batch of Replicator, Defense News, 05/06/2024
– Pentagon’s ‘Switchblade 600’ drone gets funding for China fight, South China Morning Post, 05/06/2024