Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo dated June 29 establishing the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) to report to Deputy Secretary Steven Feinberg.
- The DRPM-UxS absorbs the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group and Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and makes the Defense Innovation Unit the primary industry liaison for the portfolio.
- The office will cover small and medium unmanned aircraft (UAS groups 1–3), ground robots, most unmanned surface vessels and autonomy software including swarming and counter‑drone systems.
- The memo grants broad authorities including direct‑hire power, exemption from hiring freezes, milestone decision and acquisition authority, and sets rapid deadlines for staffing and plans within 30 to 120 days.
- Large, legally governed acquisition programs such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, MQ‑25, MQ‑4C and the Navy’s MUSV remain with the services, and a director has not yet been named, leaving oversight and confirmation questions unresolved despite large FY2027 autonomy budget requests.