Overview

• Hegseth rescinded legacy Pentagon policies in two July memoranda to dismantle bureaucratic barriers that had delayed small drone acquisition.
• Commanders at the rank of colonel or captain now have authority to independently procure and test Group 1 and 2 drones, including 3D-printed prototypes and commercial off-the-shelf systems.
• The memos redefine small unmanned aerial systems as consumables rather than durable property, removing them from legacy tracking systems to simplify logistics.
• Pentagon officials are directed to coordinate with the FAA to lift range restrictions, fast-track spectrum approvals and establish live-fire, combined-arms and swarm training areas.
• Industrial incentives include advance purchase commitments and direct loans favoring U.S. companies, alongside a plan to launch an AI-driven “Blue List” of approved components by 2026 to secure drone domain dominance by 2027.