Full Breakdown
Army Accelerates Autonomous Warfare at Association of the United States Army's (AUSA) Expo
By Drooid · · How we work
Autonomous Systems Take Center Stage
The Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) annual meeting in Washington, D.C., showcased a surge of unmanned technologies. Ondas demonstrated “Scout,” a four-legged robot designed to enter buildings, tunnels and other hazardous spaces while transmitting video to an operator, with the intent that a damaged robot is preferable to a wounded soldier. The company also displayed the IonStrike kinetic interceptor, which physically collides with incoming Shahed-type drones, and the handheld Dronebuster, which jams or spoofs drone communications. These systems illustrate a layered counter-drone approach that blends electronic attack with physical interception.
New Futures and Autonomous Systems Command and Procurement Initiatives
The Army announced a Futures and Autonomous Systems Command tasked with speeding autonomous capability integration across aviation, armor, fires, sustainment and reconnaissance. At the same expo, the service expanded a drone and counter-drone marketplace that lets the United States and allies acquire pre-approved systems in days rather than months. Ondas’ Mistral subsidiary has secured more than $240 million in orders under the Army’s $982 million Lethal Unmanned Systems contract, including an additional order exceeding $50 million announced in August. Earlier this summer the company acquired DZYNE Technologies in a deal valued at roughly $875 million, adding the IonStrike and Dronebuster portfolios.
Official Statements on Priorities and Threats
Army Under Secretary Mike Obadal said the prevalence of drones and counter-UAS systems at AUSA reflects current procurement and budget priorities across the Pentagon, noting that the Ukraine conflict “cemented” counter-UAS as a critical part of modern operations. Pete Hegseth, the department’s war secretary, indicated that the Pentagon is moving toward a four-star-led Autonomous Warfare Command to better organize unmanned warfare efforts. Ondas CEO Eric Brock emphasized that the rapid cycle of faster Shahed drones demands affordable, scalable autonomous defenses.
Funding, Contracts and Production Goals
The Pentagon’s drone budget has risen dramatically, from $225 million to $55 billion, underscoring the urgency of new acquisitions. The Army offered up to $20 million in a competition aimed at affordable interceptors capable of defeating air and missile threats at sustainable cost. Brock warned that the larger challenge lies in producing autonomous weapons in the quantities future conflicts may require.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's always a cat and mouse game, and we do have to be looking down the field,” — Eric Brock, CEO of defense technology company Ondas
- “The whole concept is that if the Scout takes fire, it's better than the soldier,” — Eric Brock, CEO of defense technology company Ondas
- “The faster moving [Shaheds] now need more autonomous systems,” — Eric Brock, CEO of defense technology company Ondas
- “We're moving from each platform being individually autonomous platforms to mission autonomy,” — Eric Brock, CEO of defense technology company Ondas
- “I think that's the bigger challenge,” — Eric Brock, CEO of defense technology company Ondas