Welcome back to AUVSI’s biweekly newsletter to keep the uncrewed and autonomous systems industries updated on DOD’s Replicator initiative.
AUVSI’s Replicator Engagement
- What we’re up to: In early February, AUVSI plans on hosting staff from the Chief Digital Autonomy Office (CDAO), Replicator, and Capitol Hill for an in-person meeting with members of our Defense Advocacy Committee.
- Also of note, we anticipate the Replicator Industry Day to take place in mid February. More details to follow soon.
Replicator News We’re Reading
- Michael Horowitz, deputy assistant secretary of defense for force development and emerging capabilities, said his office is responsible for ensuring those capabilities selected are aligned with the National Defense Strategy and working with DIU to make sure Replicator succeeds.
- “Replicator is a harbinger of fundamental DoD doctrinal changes as well as a solid signal to the defense-industrial base that the DoD is serious about procuring components faster, cheaper and with a shorter shelf life,” writes Steve Blank.
- Hicks recently selected a small number of capabilities that will be prioritized for the initial tranche of her Replicator unmanned systems initiative, and the Pentagon is preparing acquisition strategies for specific platforms that could fit the bill.
- Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon clarified that, “She selected capabilities — not particular systems.” Pahon declined to identify the capability categories that Hicks picked for the initial tranche or disclose how many were chosen.
POLITICO Pro Morning Defense newsletter 1/10/2024
- REPLICATOR ‘ON TRACK’: In the wake of complaints the five-month-old Replicator affordable drone initiative is mired in confusion, a senior administration official said Tuesday that it’s all on schedule.
- “The goal of the Replicator initiative is that we can field in the multiple thousands of attritable systems in the next 18 to 24 months, and … we’re on track to achieve that goal,” Michael Horowitz, DOD’s deputy assistant secretary for force development and emerging capabilities, said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event.
- Hold your horses: Unveiled in August, Replicator is a significant part of the Pentagon’s efforts to use artificial intelligence. “It feels like we’re really making moves in that category,” Horowitz said.
Industry News We’re Tracking
-
Teal Drones
/
Red Cat Holdings
is in the running to be one of the defense contractors to be selected to be part of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) recently announced Replicator initiative, in which the Pentagon plans to acquire multiple thousands of “attritable autonomous systems,” such as small portable drones, over the next two years.
- “Replicator is an ambitious program and one that America’s drone industry is prepared to meet, including my company,
Skydio
. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary Hicks recent visits to Silicon Valley and the DIU underscore the commitment and sense of urgency with which American military leaders are acting to arm America’s military with the best available technology to deter aggression by China or any other adversary,” writes
William Mark Valentine
.
AUVSI's Defense Advocacy Committee advances policies and funding for uncrewed and autonomous systems in the Department of Defense, ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of autonomous defense technologies.
