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Hegseth announces a new drone command and cuts to 20% of generals in ‘State of the Force’ speech

The command will have service-like authorities to speed drones, AI and robotics across the force as the Pentagon seeks faster fielding of autonomous systems.

  • On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the creation of Autonomous Warfare Command , a new four-star combatant command designed to centralize and scale robotic capabilities across the joint force.
  • Citing lessons from Ukraine, Hegseth emphasized the need for purpose-built systems that can adapt rapidly to battlefield requirements, shifting Pentagon strategy toward a 'high-low mix' of expensive and lower-cost autonomous platforms.
  • Project Agincourt will prototype 'warfighting acquisition' cycles led by Owen West, Defense Innovation Unit Director, and Navy SEAL Senior Chief Max Strasiser; Project Meridian will study future warfare under Elon Musk, Newt Gingrich, and Palmer Luckey.
  • General and flag officer ranks will face a 20% reduction by January 1, 2027, a move Sen. Jack Reed, ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, condemned as 'reckless, partisan' actions that damaged military leadership.
  • Pentagon officials target October 1, 2027, for AutoWarCom's launch, contingent on Congressional approval, while an initial report on future warfare domains is due January 28, 2027, to accelerate autonomous technology fielding.
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Washington. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced yesterday the creation of the Autonomous War Command, a new four-star command designed to scale autonomous and robotic capabilities across the entire joint force, which will be led by the billionaire Elon Musk technology and Republican Newt Gingrich.

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Right

The head of Pentagon Pete Hegsett, in another address to the U.S. Army, announced the establishment of a new command within the U.S. Army, which would be responsible for the conduct of unmanned combat operations.

Lean Left

United States Minister of War Pete Heggseth - Wednesday - announced the establishment of a special command for independent warfare to develop self-regulating, marching and artificial intelligence, as part of an American orientation to change fighting tactics and prepare for future wars.

Right

US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced a 20% reduction in the positions of generals and admirals in the U.S. armed forces, doubling the initial target of restructuring. The Pentagon chief also presented the plan to establish a command dedicated to drones, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

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Federal News Network broke the news in Chevy Chase, United States on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
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