On the second day of AUSA 2026, the Army announced another structural shift as acting Chief of Staff Gen. Chris LaNeve redesignated the Futures and Concepts Command as the Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM). The change underscores the service’s growing focus on drones and autonomous systems during a period of leadership transition, as noted by Breaking Defense Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Land Warfare Reporter Carley Welch.
The pair also examined the Army’s assertion that it remains the foundation of the joint force, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater, where the service is prioritizing capabilities such as long-range precision fires. They concluded by previewing the third day of the conference, which features an anticipated appearance by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
