Recap: Highlights from the US Army’s 2025 conference in Washington
The Army continues to transform, with efforts focused on next-gen weaponry, long-range artillery, unmanned systems and much more.
Unmanned
Pentagon stages first ‘Top Drone’ school for operators to hone skills
Industry and military drone operators flew tethered and untethered first-person drones through a course designed to test endurance and maneuverability.
Pentagon to identify next Replicator capability set this summer
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said the Pentagon plans to propose Replicator 2.0 funding in its fiscal 2026 budget.
Top State Department official to become Austin’s new chief of staff
The decision puts to rest Chollet's stalled nomination to take over the Pentagon's top policy role.
Army to buy more than 1,000 Switchblade drones through Replicator
The Army’s vice chief of staff, revealed the quantity for the first time during a June 21 House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing.
India advances light attack helicopter program with large tender
Armaments on the LCH include Mistral air-to-air missiles, up to four FZ231 2.75-inch (70mm) rocket pods and a nose-mounted M621 20mm cannon.
Romania to buy 54 howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace
Other bidders reportedly included Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann with the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and Turkey's BMC with its T-155 Fırtına.
Lawmakers urge Defense Innovation Unit to partner with Israel, Taiwan
The provisions call for DIU to establish a “strategic partnership” with each country to coordinate on industrial priorities and dual-use tech development.
US approves loitering munitions sale for Taiwan’s ‘porcupine strategy’
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency approvals include 291 Altius 600M-V loitering munitions from Anduril, plus 720 Switchblade 300s from AeroVironment.
US Army to launch AI pilot project for acquisition workforce
The pilot project is part of a broader effort within the Army to identify both the pitfalls and the opportunities that come with widely adopting AI tools.
Defense Innovation Unit seeks systems to counter Red Sea drone attacks
The program, dubbed Counter NEXT, aims to quickly test counter UAS prototypes and field them on naval vessels around the globe.
