GoKawiilPentagon to create new four-star command for AI and drone warfare by 2027
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Autonomous Warfare Command, or AutoWarCom, during a September 30 address at Quantico, Virginia. The new command, to be led by a four-star officer, would join the military's 11 existing combatant commands and oversee drones, AI, and command-and-control systems, with a target establishment date of October 1, 2027 pending congressional authorization.
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The announcement signals a formal institutional push to centralize autonomous weapons development, which could speed up fielding of AI-driven systems across all branches rather than leaving it fragmented. Creating dedicated career specialties suggests the Pentagon sees autonomy as a long-term structural priority, not just a temporary program. Rising costs from drone losses, like the reported $1 billion in Reapers lost during the Iran campaign, may be adding pressure to find cheaper, scalable alternatives.
- Hegseth announced AutoWarCom, a planned four-star command focused on autonomous warfare.
- The command would be the military's 12th combatant command, targeted for establishment by October 1, 2027.
- It aims to expand AI, drone, and robotic capabilities while creating new career specialties in autonomy.
Source: techspot.com — Rob Thubron, 2026-10-01
Published there as: “Pentagon unveils AutoWarCom, a new four-star command to put AI, drones and robots at the center of warfare”
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