Full Breakdown
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Lead AUSA Panel on Autonomous Warfare
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is slated to appear on the final day of the Association of the United States Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition for a panel titled “Project Agincourt: Autonomous Warfare.” The discussion will focus on the Pentagon’s strategy for integrating unmanned and autonomous systems into future combat operations. The session will be streamed live from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern time.
Background & Context
The panel is part of a broader Pentagon initiative known as Project Agincourt, which seeks to accelerate the development and fielding of autonomous military capabilities. Over recent years, the Department of Defense has increased funding for robotics, artificial-intelligence-driven platforms, and related research, positioning autonomous systems as a central component of next-generation warfare doctrine.
Key Figures & Groups
- Pete Hegseth – Secretary of War, leading the discussion.
- Troy Meink – Secretary of the Air Force, panel participant.
- Adam Telle – Acting Secretary of the Army, panel participant.
- Hung Cao – Acting Secretary of the Navy, panel participant.
- Derrick Anderson – Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, panel participant.
- Owen West – Moderator and lead of Project Agincourt, overseeing the initiative’s coordination across services.
Official Statements & Responses
Department officials have indicated that the panel will examine how autonomous technologies can be integrated safely and effectively across the services. Hegseth’s appearance underscores the administration’s commitment to prioritizing unmanned capabilities, while the inclusion of senior leaders from the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Special Operations signals a joint-service approach. Moderation by Owen West is intended to align the discussion with Project Agincourt’s goals of rapid adoption and operational testing.
Why It Matters
The AUSA panel highlights a pivotal shift in U.S. defense policy toward greater reliance on autonomous systems. By convening top defense leaders, the event aims to shape procurement decisions, doctrinal updates, and inter-service coordination on technologies that could redefine battlefield dynamics in the coming decade.