What happened
The US Pentagon is creating a new four-star military command, called the Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM), which will focus on the development, purchase, and deployment of autonomous systems, including drones, robotics, and artificial intelligence. According to War Secretary Pete Hegseth, AUTOWARCOM will have service-like authorities to accelerate the adoption of autonomous systems across the military.
Hegseth announced the new command during his annual State of the Force address, citing the need for the military to adapt rapidly to changing battlefield conditions, as seen in Ukraine. He also launched Project Agincourt, an interim initiative to test the structure of AUTOWARCOM, which will involve operators working directly with tech companies and more purchasing authority being given to combatant commands and front-line units.
Project Agincourt will be led by former Assistant Defense Secretary Owen West and Navy SEAL Senior Chief Max Strasiser, who will oversee the development of new occupational frameworks for troops specializing in autonomous warfare. The project will also examine the impact of autonomous systems on military equipment, doctrine, and organization.
