The US Department of Defense is accelerating its push into low-cost, weaponized one-way attack drones, inviting 25 companies to compete in the first phase of a major new program. The initiative is designed to help the military field large numbers of expendable, mission-focused drones more quickly—reflecting how unmanned systems are reshaping modern warfare and how urgently the Pentagon wants to adapt.
This first round is essentially a competitive proving ground. By bringing two dozen-plus vendors into the opening phase, the department is casting a wide net to identify designs that can be produced at scale, deployed fast, and kept affordable. The goal isn’t just to test technology; it’s to find practical systems that can be manufactured in volume and integrated into real operations without the long delays that often come with traditional defense procurement.
One-way attack drones—often described as “kamikaze” or loitering munitions—have become a defining feature of today’s battlefields because they offer a potent combination of precision, range, and cost efficiency. They can be used to strike high-value targets, pressure enemy defenses, and extend the reach of ground forces, all while reducing risk to personnel. Their growing impact has prompted militaries around the world to rethink what “mass” means in combat: not only tanks and aircraft, but also swarms of unmanned systems that can be deployed rapidly.
The selection of 25 competing vendors also signals a bigger shift in how the Pentagon wants to buy and field new capabilities. Instead of relying on a small number of traditional suppliers and lengthy development cycles, the department is emphasizing faster experimentation, more competition, and procurement approaches that can keep pace with evolving threats. It’s an attempt to modernize the acquisition system so that the military can respond to emerging technologies—and the battlefield advantages they create—before rivals do.
As this attack drone program moves forward, the key themes will be speed, scalability, and cost. The companies invited into phase one will be vying to prove that their systems can meet the Pentagon’s demand for effective, affordable one-way strike drones that can be produced in large numbers and deployed widely. This is not just another weapons competition—it’s part of a broader strategy to ensure the United States can operate in an era where unmanned systems increasingly shape the outcome of conflicts.
