The Pentagon has announced an ambitious initiative to acquire and deploy over 300,000 small one-way-attack drones by 2028. This $1 billion project aims to ensure that service members can learn to operate these drones within a mere two hours of training. The request for information (RFI) details specifications for drones that must carry at least 4.4 pounds of explosives, capable of conducting strikes in both open terrain and urban environments.
The anticipated capabilities of these drones include maneuvering across approximately six miles of open land and executing strikes from over half a mile within city limits. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the necessity of this initiative, stating, “We cannot afford to shoot down cheap drones with $2 million missiles and we ourselves must be able to field large quantities of capable attack drones.” In his recent video message, he added that tens of thousands of these drones would be delivered by 2026 and hundreds of thousands by 2027, signaling a significant shift in military combat doctrine across all branches of the U.S. military.
The RFI does not specify an exact model for the drones, but the requirements suggest designs consistent with first-person view drones, often built as quadcopters. The competitive acquisition process, referred to as “gauntlets,” will unfold in four phases from February to July of next year, requiring drone demonstrations from participating companies. The initial phase will see 12 companies producing 30,000 drones, while subsequent phases will increase production numbers but decrease the price per unit and the number of vendors.
Companies that are not selected in the initial phase are still encouraged to participate, according to the RFI. This initiative follows an Executive Order issued by former President Donald Trump on June 6, 2025, which aimed to expand the U.S. drone industrial base and promote the adoption of drone technology across federal agencies. Additionally, a memo from Secretary Hegseth on July 10, 2025, outlined measures to accelerate the purchase and integration of drones in military operations.
In recent months, the Pentagon has taken various steps to enhance drone capabilities in the field. In September, U.S. Central Command established a task force to expedite the delivery and repair of drones for battlefield units. More recently, U.S. Army Northern Command created a rapid response team to address drone threats to military installations nationwide, utilizing a fly-away kit produced by Anduril.
Furthermore, U.S. Special Operations Command has initiated a comprehensive training course lasting 10 days for special warfare operators. This program is designed to teach all aspects of both constructing and operating first-person view drones, reflecting the growing importance of drone technology in modern military operations.
As the Pentagon moves forward with its drone acquisition plan, the potential implications for military strategy and operational efficiency are significant. The integration of small attack drones into the U.S. military arsenal could reshape the landscape of future combat, emphasizing adaptability and rapid deployment in an increasingly complex battlefield environment.
