By The Smartencyclopedia Staff Writer with Agencies
The initial batch of unmanned systems under the US Department of Defense’s Replicator initiative has been delivered to the armed forces, according to a statement from Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.
“The delivery of Replicator systems to the warfighter began earlier this month,” Hicks said. “Together with the private sector and with support from Congress, the Replicator initiative is delivering capabilities at greater speed and scale while simultaneously burning down risk and alleviating systemic barriers across the department.”
The first set of Replicator capabilities includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles, and counter-UAV equipment. However, the Department of Defense (DoD) has disclosed few details about the specific systems delivered, except AeroVironment’s Switchblade 600, a small loitering munition.
Despite this partial disclosure, the statement from Hicks did not specify the exact systems, quantities, or deployment locations, maintaining a level of secrecy around the Replicator effort since its announcement last year.
“The delivery of the systems shows that warfighter-centric innovation is not only possible; it’s producing real results,” Hicks emphasized. “Even as we deliver systems, our end-to-end capability development process continues. Together with the private sector and with support from Congress, the Replicator initiative is delivering capabilities at greater speed and scale while simultaneously burning down risk and alleviating systemic barriers across the department.”
When questioned about the specifics of the systems and their deployment, DoD spokesperson Eric Pahon stated, “We are not discussing specific timelines, systems, or locations for delivery at this time for operations security reasons. We will continue to ensure Congress is fully informed on our progress.”
The AeroVironment Switchblade 600 loitering munition, the only confirmed system procured under the Replicator initiative to date, could provide some insight into the types of systems delivered. The Switchblade 600, which the Army ordered last October, has a range of approximately 25 miles and a time on station of 40 minutes. While its range may not be ideal for long-distance operations in the Indo-Pacific, it could be useful in island-hopping scenarios against potential adversaries such as Chinese forces.
When Deputy Secretary Hicks unveiled the Replicator initiative in August 2023, she described it as a means to counter China’s military mass by producing multiple thousands of “attritable autonomous systems” within two years. These systems include unmanned surface vessels and loitering drones. However, the specifics of the initiative have largely remained confidential, even as the department secured approximately $500 million in fiscal 2024 funding and requested an equal amount for fiscal year 2025.
The Replicator initiative’s delivery marks a significant milestone in the Pentagon’s ongoing efforts to innovate and enhance the capabilities of the US armed forces, particularly in the realm of unmanned systems.