Key Takeaways
- The Pentagon’s FY26 budget maintains existing funding for prototyping and experimentation but does not explicitly allocate resources for the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER).
- RDER has transitioned into standard practices for identifying and addressing military technology gaps, with a focus on operational experimentation.
- Defense Secretary’s new directive encourages the rapid acquisition and deployment of drones across military units, aiming for widespread implementation by the end of 2026.
Funding Shift and Program Evolution
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 budget proposes flat funding for the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER), which was established in 2021 to prioritize urgent military technology needs across various command levels. Officials clarify that this budget decision is not a termination of RDER but a move to integrate its principles into standard Defense Department operations. Alexander Lovett, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for prototyping and experimentation, stated that the department will continue its focus on prototyping and experimentation without needing a separate RDER designation.
Originally, RDER sought to bridge capability gaps identified across combatant commands and military services by examining mature technologies and vetting solutions through experimentation. However, it faced challenges in Congress, where budget cuts were frequently implemented due to perceptions of redundancy with other innovation efforts. Despite the struggles, former Under Secretary of Defense Heidi Shyu successfully campaigned to preserve the initiative.
The Pentagon has shifted funding from RDER to military services, enabling them to scale up technologies that align with departmental priorities. Lovett emphasized that the practices initiated by RDER have now been adopted more broadly, allowing for ongoing operational experimentation.
Continuing Efforts in Technology Experimentation
One element of RDER that remains active is the semi-annual Technology Readiness Experimentation (TREX) campaign. TREX will focus on meeting high-priority capability needs over the next few years, particularly in the realm of autonomous systems, including uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and counter-drone technologies.
The recent showcase at the Pentagon featured various technologies developed through RDER and tested at TREX events, highlighting a range of systems that have shown promise in operational scenarios. For instance, the Vanilla UAS, developed by Platform Aerospace, has advanced to an operational assessment phase with U.S. Naval Forces and other commands. This drone is designed for multiple missions, such as intelligence, reconnaissance, and kinetic operations, and funding from the Department of Defense’s Accelerated Procurement For Innovative Technologies program will support its production.
Focus on Drone Capabilities
The showcase coincided with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s memo released on June 10, which introduced reforms aimed at streamlining the Pentagon’s processes for testing and procuring drones. The memo mandates that each military service establish dedicated formations for small UAS, granting operational units the authority to buy, test, and train with these systems independently. Hegseth’s directive plans for every military squad to be equipped with low-cost, expendable drones by the end of 2026, prioritizing deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the event, Hegseth highlighted the department’s efforts to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that have historically impeded innovation. He acknowledged that the systems on display were just a fraction of the transformative potential that streamlining policies could unlock, stating a commitment to making the U.S. a leader in drone capabilities.
This renewed focus intends to promote efficiency and adaptability within the military, ensuring soldiers can effectively utilize technological advancements in an evolving defense landscape.
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