Military drones

DOD Unveils First Tranche of Replicator Program Capabilities

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks has revealed the first tranche of features of the Replicator drone program after the Department of Defense secured about $500 million in funding for fiscal year 2024.

According to Hicks, the Replicator’s initial features are focused on all-domain attributable autonomous systems, including uncrewed surface vehicles, uncrewed aerial systems and counter-uncrewed aerial systems of various sizes and payloads.

The Pentagon revealed that the first tranche of capabilities also includes classified features, covering offerings in the maritime domain and counter-UAS portfolio, PACOM .mil reported.

Hicks, a past Potomac Officers Club event speaker and Wash100 winner, said that the DOD has started investing in the production of the capabilities, a vital step in ensuring the strengthening of the nation’s defense and technology industrial base.

In December, the DOD said it would gather industry partners for a technology summit for the Replicator program in early 2025 to identify which vendor has the capabilities and experience to help deliver the requirements of the program.