U.S. to Launch 'Auto War Command' for Drones and Robots, Aiming for Operation by Next October
Preparing for Shifts in Drone Warfare and Future Battle Tactics
Plans for Rapid Adoption of Civilian Commercial Technologies
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the establishment of the ‘Auto War Command,’ a command dedicated to overseeing autonomous weapon systems such as drones, robots, and military artificial intelligence (AI). This move marks a full-scale effort to prepare for future warfare, reflecting the changes in modern warfare as seen in the war in Ukraine.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), on September 30 (local time), U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated in a speech at the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia that there are plans to establish the Auto War Command, targeting October next year for its operational launch. He further emphasized, “The Auto War Command will lead the fastest peacetime transition in modern military history in terms of introducing new drones and robotic equipment.”
The Auto War Command, which will oversee a wide range of autonomous weapon systems such as drones, combat robots, and military AI, is expected to be led by a four-star general. Its top priority is known to be the development of a supply chain for low-cost autonomous weapons. WSJ noted that this is part of efforts to respond to the changing landscape of modern warfare, as evidenced in the wars in Ukraine and Iran. According to the outlet, approximately 70% of Russian military casualties are estimated to have resulted from drones, and high-cost interceptor munitions were consumed in large quantities by the U.S. military during Iranian drone attacks.
WSJ also reported that Secretary Hegseth is preparing for the launch of the Auto War Command by bringing in outside figures such as former Goldman Sachs trader Owen West. The goal is to streamline the traditionally lengthy military-led weapons development process and quickly adopt commercial technologies from private companies for military applications.
Additionally, there are plans to actively use a business competition model known as the ‘Gauntlet.’ In this format, companies perform tasks simulating real combat missions, and those achieving high performance will be allowed to supply their products to the U.S. military. The system will be designed so that the process from competition results announcement to purchase order can be completed within just a few weeks.
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Alongside this, Secretary Hegseth also unveiled a plan called “Project Meridian,” aimed at studying the future directions of warfare. The U.S. Department of Defense, Elon Musk—CEO of Tesla, and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich are among the participants in this initiative, with plans to submit results to the U.S. government within 120 days. Secretary Hegseth stressed, “From underground to beyond the moon, American warfighters will be equipped with absolute technological superiority on any future battlefield.”
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