The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) unveiled 18 prototypes of American-made drones on Wednesday as part of its plan to accelerate production of these low-cost aircraft "to secure global leadership" in drone technology.

During a tour of the exhibition, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Higueth stated that "drones manufactured using rapid-production-ready components exemplify innovative thinking," according to the Pentagon's official website.

Higueth outlined three key objectives:

1. "Prioritizing the procurement of U.S.-made drones and spare parts with private sector capital assistance"

2. "Equipping combat units with low-cost drones developed by America's top engineers and AI experts"

3. "Conducting realistic battle scenario training led by risk-tolerant commanders"

He emphasized that "drones represent the most significant battlefield innovation in a generation, accounting for most of this year's casualties in Ukraine. Our adversaries collectively produce millions of cheap drones annually," noting the U.S. military's current shortage of lethal small drones.

Pentagon Under Secretary for Research and Engineering Emil Michael revealed that "the showcased prototypes moved from concept to development in just 18 months on average - a process that typically takes up to six years."

Michael added that the Department will "continue rapid innovation and scale up production of drones and other systems, focusing on cost, flexibility, firepower, and range - key areas the Pentagon aims to improve."

Executive Order Accelerates Domestic Drone Production

On June 6, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to accelerate U.S. drone production using cutting-edge industrial technologies. Trump noted that the FAA and Defense Department would "coordinate to streamline approval procedures for expanded airspace access for drone training exercises."