The US Army will set up a new command dedicated to autonomous and robotic systems, according to the U.S. Army. Acting Secretary of the Army Adam R. Telle signed a memorandum on 1 October establishing the US Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM). The directive also changes Army force structure, acquisition and personnel.
Following the Pentagon’s lead
The memorandum follows Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s State of the Force address on 30 September. Hegseth announced an Autonomous Warfare Command there. He also told the military departments to build the organisations, acquisition approaches and career fields needed to accelerate autonomy.
Telle said the Army is “forging” FASCOM to put cutting-edge technology into soldiers’ hands. He added that autonomy will take priority in formations, acquisitions and training.
Six formation areas and a new acquisition lead
The Army will integrate autonomous capabilities into at least six areas: aviation, armour, fires, sustainment, engineer and training formations.
It will also name a Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Autonomy. By fiscal year 2028, the Army must prioritise acquiring and fielding several capabilities:
- autonomous fires and combat vehicles
- watercraft resupply
- breaching
- reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition
- collaborative teaming between crewed and uncrewed platforms
This work builds on the Army’s activation earlier this year of the Capability Program Executive Office for Mission Autonomy. That office integrates autonomous technologies across multiple Army portfolios.
Building the workforce
The directive also covers the people who will operate these systems. The Army will expand authorisations for 15X Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Specialists and 390A Robotics Technicians across applicable units. The change places more trained autonomy professionals closer to tactical formations.
Learn more on the U.S. Army website
