Quantico, Va. – At a gathering of roughly 600 junior officers and enlisted leaders on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled the Pentagon’s new Autonomous Warfare Command. The command, which will be headed by a four‑star general, is tasked with integrating artificial‑intelligence robotics and autonomous weapons into future U.S. military operations.
Key objectives and structure
Hegseth emphasized that the “autonomous and robotic revolution has enormous implications for equipment, doctrine, organization, and the assumptions that have governed warfare for decades.” He said the new command will anchor these changes within existing military hierarchies, ensuring that the United States remains decisive on the battlefield.
Alongside the command, the secretary highlighted Project Agincourt, a complementary effort aimed at overhauling how the services acquire, test, and field drones and other unmanned systems. Hegseth cited lessons from the war in Ukraine as a catalyst for accelerating these initiatives.
Senior‑officer reductions
Continuing a policy begun in May 2025, Hegseth announced a new target to cut 20% of general and flag‑officer positions – double the previous 10% goal. The reductions are presented as a means to eliminate what the secretary calls “woke” policies and to streamline the chain of command.
Critics, including several members of Congress from both parties, have expressed concern that the firings could undermine readiness. Hegseth’s office responded that the cuts are necessary to preserve a merit‑based culture and to focus resources on warfighting capabilities.
High‑profile attendees
The event featured notable guests such as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Anduril founder Palmer Luckey. All three were named chairs of a new study group, Project Meridian, to explore the future of warfare.
Hegseth also referenced the recent completion of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, marking the end of the 2014‑2021 mission against ISIS. He framed the withdrawal as a testament to the effectiveness of a focused, combat‑oriented strategy.
Media criticism and response
During the speech, Hegseth criticized media coverage of military operations, likening some reporting to “treason,” while acknowledging the importance of a free press. He argued that responsible journalism should support, not hinder, the armed forces’ mission.
Overall, the secretary portrayed the autonomous warfare initiative as a decisive step toward maintaining U.S. military superiority, aligning with the Trump administration’s pledge to “rip out the politics” of the Pentagon and concentrate on warfighting.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
