The U.S. military is expected to increase investment in unmanned aerial systems starting in 2020 with $3.7 billion in funding from President Trump’s latest defense budget, National Defense Magazine reported Monday.
“There is enormous potential for the future,†said retired Lt. General David Deptula, dean of Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, during a recent meeting in Congress. “When you look at cargo aircraft, you look at tanker aircraft, there’s absolutely no reason why those aircraft can’t be unmanned.â€
He added the U.S. would lead the global spending on drones that is projected to more than double from $4.9 billion in 2018 to $10.7 billion in 2027.Â
Phil Finnegan, director of corporate analysis at the Teal Group, said the military in other nations would invest in medium- and high-altitude long endurance systems and unmanned combat aerial vehicles. Worldwide military UAV production is expected to exceed $90 billion by 2027. The Pentagon alone would spend $40.4 billion on procuring the technology, Finnegan said.Â
