Army Launches Futures and Autonomous Systems Command, Names New Acquisition Lead for Autonomy

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is establishing a dedicated command and a new acquisition executive office to accelerate the integration of autonomous technologies, according to a service spokesperson and an internal memo reviewed by Breaking Defense.

The directive, initially reported by Axios, follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent Pentagon-wide initiatives to create a new four-star headquarters — the Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM) — focused on drone warfare and emerging capabilities.

A memo signed Thursday by Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle formally orders the creation of the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM). The document also designates a new Program Acquisition Executive (PAE) for Autonomy, a role previously managed under the Capability Portfolio Executive for Mission Autonomy within the PAE for Layered Protection and Integration.

“Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made it clear: we are done with the bureaucratic inertia holding back modernization,” Telle said in a statement. “The Army is rapidly advancing to maintain our lethal edge. We are forging the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command to get cutting-edge technology into the hands of Soldiers, while prioritizing autonomy in our formations, our acquisitions, and our training to dominate the future of warfare.”

Titled “Army Autonomous Initiatives,” the memo directs new “autonomous force development” efforts to align force structure with autonomous capabilities across aviation, armored, sustainment, and training formations. It tasks the new PAE with prioritizing the acquisition and fielding of autonomous fires, combat vehicles, watercraft resupply systems, and manned-unmanned teaming capabilities no later than fiscal year 2028.

Additionally, the order instructs the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs to expand authorizations for the 15X Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Specialist and the 390A Robotics Technician Specialist military occupational specialties to all applicable Army units.

The establishment of FASCOM and the Autonomy PAE aligns with a broader service strategy to scale drone production and fielding. Recent steps include the Drone Dominance procurement program, the stand-up of the Army-led Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), and the creation of a Direct Reporting Program Manager (DRPM) for autonomy, previously reported by Breaking Defense.

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