#military technology

Facing severe personnel shortages after three years of conflict, Ukraine is transforming its military doctrine around autonomous and semi-autonomous drones. What began as improvised drone warfare has matured into a systematic shift where machines increasingly fill roles once held by infantry soldiers.

Defense analysts are sounding the alarm that NATO lacks the doctrine, technology, and infrastructure to counter drone threats in the Arctic region. As Russia and China expand their military presence in the High North, the alliance faces a critical capability gap in one of the world's most strategically important theaters.

The Defense Innovation Unit has announced a $100 million Orchestrator Prize Challenge, seeking technology that lets commanders control mixed swarms of drones from different manufacturers using plain language commands. The program represents a strategic pivot from buying individual drones to coordinating autonomous fleets.

The U.S. Army has established the Pathway for Innovation and Technology office to connect frontline soldiers' ideas with rapid-acquisition programs. The new office aims to bridge the gap between small-scale prototyping hubs and the large program offices that manage production at scale.

The Government Accountability Office is pushing for the Pentagon's research and engineering office to gain budget certification authority over military departments' technology investments, but the Army, Navy, and Air Force have pushed back sharply.