Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has released a memo stating that the second phase of the Department of Defense’s Replicator initiative will focus on countering the threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems to force concentrations and critical installations.
In a Sept. 27 memo, the three-time Wash100 awardee said DOD expects Replicator 2 to help address challenges in the areas of technology innovation, production capacity, force structure, system integration, policies, authorities and open system architecture.
Austin directed Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to oversee the development of a plan for Replicator 2 for inclusion in the president’s fiscal year 2026 budget request to Congress.
“My expectation is that Replicator 2 will deliver meaningfully improved C-sUAS protection to critical assets within 24 months of Congress approving funding,” Austin wrote in the memo.
The DOD secretary noted that the director of the Defense Innovation Unit will serve as the office of primary responsibility for the initiative and work with the defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment on the effort.
Austin tasked the military departments of the DOD with the development, production and deployment of Replicator 2-related capabilities.
“The Replicator 2 Initiative will leverage the work of the Counter Uncrewed Systems Warfighter Senior Integration Group, and collaborate closely with other ongoing efforts,” the secretary added.
