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The Military is increasing its use of synthetic intelligence past drones — from wearable sensible glasses that prepare mechanics within the subject to automated defenses in opposition to swarms of low-cost enemy plane — as leaders warn the counter-drone battle is now “drawback 1A” for the nation.
Talking to reporters this week, Military Secretary Dan Driscoll described a pilot program by which troopers wearAI-enabled Ray-Ban glasses that document restore jobs after which use generative fashions to stroll less-experienced troops via infantry squad automobile upkeep. He mentioned it displays a brand new push to carry shopper know-how into the pressure “much more shortly” than previously. Whereas Meta might have spent billions growing the glasses, the Military is testing them for about $400 a pair.
Gen. Randy George, the Military’s chief of workers, mentioned the identical strategy applies to the Pentagon’s high rising problem: defending in opposition to drones.
“That is drawback 1A that we’re going through as a rustic,” Driscoll mentioned, stressing that counter-drone know-how should be low-cost, quick and automatic. “When you consider a drone swarm … it’s a practically not possible thought for even human beings [to handle].”
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Military Secretary Dan Driscoll mentioned counter-drone know-how is “drawback 1A.” (Spc. Luke Sullivan/seventy fifth Ranger Regiment)
That problem has been underscored abroad, the place superior plane have been used to intercept comparatively cheap drones. “When you’ve acquired a $5,000 drone, you need a $2,000 or $3,000 or $4,000 interceptor, and that’s what we’re centered on,” George mentioned.
Final week, Dutch F-35s and Polish F-16s deployed to take out dozens of Russian drones flying into Russian territory.
George added that the Military is testing proximity rounds and high-energy lasers, whereas the larger hurdle is defending in opposition to drones in crowded civilian airspace.
As a part of the Military’s “steady transformation” initiative, George mentioned 25 brigades will probably be overhauled within the subsequent two years to make them extra deadly, cell and survivable in high-threat environments. The primary armored brigade fight groups are set to rotate via the Nationwide Coaching Middle in California this November, adopted by a large-scale train in Hawaii.
George additionally pointed to armor modernization, saying the Military’s next-generation M1E3 tank — envisioned as a lighter, sooner alternative for the Abrams — may attain models as early as subsequent 12 months. That might mark a serious acceleration, since earlier projections urged the automobile wouldn’t subject till the 2030s.
To pay for its modernization drive, Driscoll mentioned the Military plans to chop $48 billion over 5 years from applications it not wants, reinvesting in drones, air defenses and long-range fires.
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A soldier holds a drone within the Pentagon car parking zone on June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va., in the course of the Military’s 250th anniversary parade and festivities in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Photos)
The service additionally launched a $750 million “Fuse” fund to assist small and mid-sized companies and previewed new acquisition reforms to be detailed at subsequent month’s AUSA convention. Modeled partly on the fast iteration practices of economic firms, the modifications will co-locate troopers, engineers and contractors to hurry up design and fielding.
Officers additionally highlighted in-house efforts. George mentioned the Military is now constructing its personal drones at depots with all-American elements — together with fashions already flying in Ukraine — to assist replenish stockpiles. Driscoll mentioned 3D printing is being examined as a approach to overcome the “tyranny of distance” within the Indo-Pacific, permitting troopers to manufacture elements in theater as an alternative of ready on lengthy provide traces.
Military troopers prepare within the subject because the service integrates AI into coaching and command-and-control. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Photos)
George pointed to battlefield command as one other space of change. The 4th Infantry Division is now testing command-and-control apps on ruggedized tablets — changing the vans and racks of radios which have lengthy anchored Military command posts.
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The transfer is designed to make headquarters smaller and tougher to focus on, although outdoors consultants have warned that counting on commercial-style units may introduce new cyber vulnerabilities and sturdiness points in fight.
Driscoll additionally credited President Trump with backing the Military’s overhaul. “They’ve held the road each single time when we’ve got made a tough choice,” he mentioned. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that every of the $48 billion in cuts has defenders in Congress and trade.
