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On Sept. 30, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum creating Project Agincourt, formally directing the Department to establish a pathway to AUTOWARCOM by Oct. 1, 2027. The effort will be led by the direct reporting portfolio manager for unmanned systems (DRPM-UxS) under Owen West, currently director of the Defense Innovation Unit, and Max Strasiser, currently at DRPM-UxS.
While the eventual proposed establishment of a combatant command is significant, the immediate impact of the memo is also substantial: it empowers DRPM-UxS to coordinate autonomy investments, develop a new acquisition model, shape service priorities, and serve as the Department’s central organization for autonomous systems over the next several years.
DRPM-UxS: What Matters
DRPM-UxS appears intended to function as a small, Pentagon-based organization focused on autonomy strategy, resourcing, and acquisition, rather than direct program execution. According to the memo, it will:
- Develop the implementation plan for the proposed AWC;
- Recommend Joint Force investment allocations and resource shifts;
- Coordinate with the military services on manpower, requirements, and force structure;
- Prototype a new acquisition process that connects operators, developers, and manufacturers and emphasizes rapid testing and fielding; and
- Report directly to senior leadership on progress, adoption, and required decisions.
It appears the organization will remain lean, with most acquisition funding and execution remaining within the military departments.
The proposed AUTOWARCOM remains a concept. The president may stand up the command itself under existing authority outlined in 10 USC 161, but is required to notify Congress within 60 days of establishment. In addition, the four-star commander contemplated for this command would require Senate confirmation. U.S. Space Command, which President Donald Trump re-established in 2019, is a recent example of a president establishing a combatant command. However, the Special Operations Command-style budget and acquisition authorities Secretary Hegseth described may require legislation. DRPM-UxS, however, is operational today and may serve as the principal point of influence for autonomous systems policy, funding recommendations, testing priorities, and acquisition reform for the next few years.
Senate Armed Services Committee’s NDAA
Congress is already moving in the direction of an autonomous systems command. Section 917 of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s FY27 NDAA would authorize a U.S. Robotic and Autonomous Systems Command (RASCOM) with its own budget line, service component commands, dedicated career fields, and operational test authority. That largely mirrors Project Agincourt, though with more limited acquisition authority. The provision is Senate-only, and it remains to be seen if it will be adopted in the final FY27 NDAA.
Organizations to Watch
- DRPM-UxS for technology development and development testing;
- Joint Task Force Autonomous Warfare (JTF-AW) for operational testing, training and deployment; and
- Service-level acquisition organizations that would ultimately execute most procurement funding.
- Establishing the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command;
- Creating autonomous force structure across aviation, armor, fires, sustainment, engineer, and training formations;
- Designating a Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Autonomy with centralized acquisition authority;
- Expanding Army unmanned systems and robotics career fields; and
- Accelerating fielding by FY28 of:
Army Autonomous Initiatives
On Oct. 1, Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle released implementing guidance that provides the clearest example so far of how the services intend to operationalize Project Agincourt. The memorandum directs:
– Autonomous fires;
– Combat vehicles;
– Watercraft resupply;
– Breaching systems;
– Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition; and
– Manned-unmanned teaming.
*Special thanks to Legislative Assistant Jon Maslyn for contributing to this GT Alert.