Pentagon Showcases 18 New American-made Drones in Push to Expand U.S. Production

The U.S. Department of Defense announced today a major push to accelerate the domestic production of low-cost drones, signaling a shift toward mass-producing unmanned systems to keep pace with global battlefield demands.

At the Pentagon, 18 American-made drone prototypes were on public display, highlighting the department’s effort to rapidly scale its unmanned capabilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who toured the exhibits, emphasized that the systems use commercially available components for faster and cheaper production.

“Drones are the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation,” Hegseth said, noting that they have accounted for the majority of combat losses in Ukraine this year. “Our adversaries collectively produce millions of cheap drones annually, and we must close the gap.”

Hegseth cited three central goals: prioritizing the procurement of American-made drones and parts, arming combat units with affordable and AI-enabled drones, and expanding realistic drone training under bold, risk-tolerant leadership.

The drones displayed today were developed in an average of 18 months — far faster than the traditional six-year timeline. Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, said speed, affordability, resilience, range, and firepower will guide future drone development.

The Pentagon’s shift follows a new executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump on June 6, 2025, which mandates an accelerated pace for drone production by embracing private-sector innovation and streamlining regulatory approvals.

Trump said the Defense Department and the Federal Aviation Administration will coordinate to expand drone training zones and reduce bottlenecks in certification processes.

On July 10, Hegseth also revoked previous Pentagon policies that limited drone production. The move opens the door for increased investment from private industry and quicker delivery of drone systems to U.S. forces.

“Our engineers and AI experts are the best in the world,” Hegseth said. “It’s time we backed them with policies and funding that match the urgency of today’s threats.”