Pentagon Requests $53.6 Billion for Drone and Autonomous Warfare Technologies

The Pentagon is requesting $53.6 billion for drone and autonomous warfare technologies in its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, an amount that would surpass most countries' defense budgets and rank among the top 10 globally for military spending. The funding request, described by Pentagon officials as the largest investment in drone warfare and counter-drone technology in US history, is budgeted under the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG). The organization was established in late 2025 and received about $226 million in the 2026 fiscal year budget. Jules Hurst, a senior Pentagon official performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense, said during an April 21 press briefing that DAWG is "out there finding the best technology for us and working on integration." Hurst said the group is testing different systems and orchestration tools for autonomy with companies and providing live feedback. An additional $20.6 billion would help purchase one-way attack drones and drone aircraft developed through the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which is building drone prototypes capable of teaming with human-piloted fighter jets. Part of this funding would also go toward defensive systems for countering small drones and the US Navy's Boeing MQ-25 drone designed for midair refueling of carrier-borne fighter aircraft. The drone-related spending rivals the entire budget of the US Marine Corps. The Pentagon has not indicated it is creating a dedicated drone branch of the military similar to the standalone Space Force.