With the world watching military tech evolve at lightning speed, the U.S. is making a bold move to catch up—and possibly pull ahead.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has just scrapped years of red tape around military drones, and the shift is already raising eyebrows across Washington and beyond.
A Sudden Shift from Caution to Aggression
Hegseth made waves by signing off on two memos, obtained by Fox News, that overturn long-standing limitations on drone use.
He believes the old policies were holding America back, slowing innovation in a domain where rivals like China and Russia are racing ahead.
In one of the memos, he stated bluntly, “The Department’s bureaucratic gloves are coming off,” emphasizing that fear of taking risks has become a bigger threat than the risks themselves.
America Playing Catch-Up in the Drone Game
Hegseth didn’t sugarcoat it—he admitted the U.S. is lagging behind its adversaries.
While Russia and China are churning out millions of low-cost drones annually, American forces remain under-equipped with modern battlefield tech.
He criticized the previous administration’s approach, which he described as burying drone programs in red tape while global drone manufacturing soared.
The result? U.S. troops haven’t had the small, lethal drones they need.
Fast-Tracking Drone Power Like Never Before
One of Hegseth’s boldest moves is treating small drones less like traditional military gear and more like disposable tech.
That means fewer restrictions and faster deployment.
Under the new policy, colonels and captains will be able to directly buy and test drones—whether they’re 3D-printed prototypes or commercial off-the-shelf models—as long as they meet set standards.
And they won’t have to wait for months of approvals.
These drones will be ready to fly almost immediately.
Creating a “Department of War” Culture
Hegseth’s plan isn’t just about tech—it’s about changing the mindset of the military itself.
He called on senior officers to lead a cultural shift that embraces experimentation, risk-taking, and urgency.
“We need a Department of War culture,” he wrote, outlining a vision where battlefield technology evolves rapidly and decisively.
His goal? To make America the global leader in drones by the end of 2027.
Faster Decisions, Bigger Training Grounds
The reforms don’t stop at deployment. Hegseth also wants to streamline support systems behind the scenes.
Drone arming requests will now get answers within 30 days. Battery certifications? Done in seven.
And within the next 90 days, the Pentagon plans to open at least three new testing ranges specifically for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
U.S. Manufacturing Gets a Boost
In keeping with the Trump administration’s “America First” economic stance, Hegseth’s policy also favors domestic companies.
The Pentagon will commit to advance purchases of drones from U.S.-based manufacturers, aiming to give the defense industry a boost while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
A Response to Global Drone Warfare
This aggressive policy update comes on the heels of high-profile drone warfare around the world.
Just weeks ago, Israel relied heavily on drones in strikes against Iran, and Iran fired back with its own drone arsenal.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing war in Ukraine, drones have become essential tools for both sides.
Drones Now Part of Combat Training
Hegseth wants drones to become as standard in training as rifles and tanks.
He’s ordered that beginning next year, drone combat scenarios—what he calls “force-on-force drone wars”—must be included in all relevant military exercises.
A New Arms Race on the Horizon?
As the U.S. accelerates its drone development, critics and allies alike are watching closely.
Some warn that this rapid shift could ignite a new arms race, especially with rival nations already deep into their own drone expansions.
But Hegseth seems unfazed. In his view, the only way forward is faster, smarter, and more aggressive.
