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Defense Innovation Unit

Pentagon Rushing to Find ‘Low-Collateral’ Tech to Counter Hostile Drones

May 14, 2025 | By Matthew Cox
The Pentagon is seeking ways to down hostile drones to defend military bases without endangering nearby civilians or infrastructure—and it wants solutions soon.

Air Force Still Planning a Nuclear Microreactor in Alaska—and More After That

April 23, 2025 | By Matthew Cox
By the end of this decade, the Air Force could begin equipping up to nine bases with self-sufficient nuclear microreactors as part of an effort to unplug from local commercial power grids and satisfy a growing demand for secure, reliable power sources that are more ...

How DOD Could Recoup Its Investment in Ukraine’s Long-Range Drones

March 24, 2025 | By Matthew Cox
For three years now, the Pentagon has dug into its arsenal and spent massive sums backing Ukraine against Russia’s invasion; now it may see a return on that investment by embracing the post-Soviet country’s battle-tested way of drone warfare.

Replicator ‘on Track’ to Field Thousands of Cheap Drones Within Months

Dec. 12, 2024 | By John A. Tirpak
The first iteration of the Pentagon’s Replicator initiative should achieve its goals of providing thousands of cheap, autonomous platforms in all combat domains by July 2025, the deputy director of the Defense Innovation Unit said Dec. 12.

Pentagon Needs More Accountability to Speed Acquisition: Former Defense Officials

Sept. 26, 2024 | By Rachel S. Cohen
U.S. military leaders must embrace flexibility, train the next generation, and hold themselves accountable if the Pentagon hopes to deliver cutting-edge weapons and vehicles to the battlefield in a timely manner, three former defense officials said in a report released Sept. 25. 

Anduril Unveils New Low-Cost Cruise Missiles Meant for Large-Scale Production

Sept. 12, 2024 | By John A. Tirpak
Anduril Industries announced a new family of air-breathing cruise missiles intended to be low-cost and producible in large numbers. The “Barracuda” series is meant to flesh out anemic U.S. weapon inventories so munitions aren't exhausted in the first few weeks of an air campaign.

It’s Not Replicator, CCA, or Weapon, Yet. What Is the Enterprise Test Vehicle?

June 11, 2024 | By John A. Tirpak
The Enterprise Test Vehicles being evaluated by the Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit are chiefly aimed at exploring modular technologies and rapid manufacturing approaches, not necessarily producing a weapon, Pentagon officials said. But the door is open to such an outcome if the program ...

USAF, DIU Pick 4 Firms to Explore Cheaper, Modular, Mass-Produced Drones

June 3, 2024 | By John A. Tirpak
Four companies will explore rapidly- and mass-produced drone concepts under the Enterprise Test Vehicle program being conducted by the Air Force’s Armament Directorate and the Defense Innovation Unit. The concepts, which are to fly this summer, are to make use of commercial, off-the-shelf, or easy-to-obtain ...

Replicator Drone Effort Part of Pentagon ‘Culture Change,’ Not a New Program, Hicks Says

Sept. 6, 2023 | By Chris Gordon
The Pentagon plans to field thousands of drones in the sea, in the air, and possibly on land to counter the large size of China’s military under its new Replicator Initiative. And the Department of Defense’s No. 2 official insists the DOD needs no new ...

Strategy & Policy: USAF Explores Blended-Wing Body Jet 

Aug. 31, 2023 | By John A. Tirpak
The ability to fuel aircraft, ships, and vehicles and to power the comfort and computing needs of a military force is arguably the most crucial piece of the entire logistics chain. That is going to be the margin of victory in great power competition.

Space Force and DIU Ask Industry For Help Launching a Satellite on 24 Hours’ Notice

Aug. 25, 2023 | By Greg Hadley
The Space Force is expanding its effort to be able to launch a satellite into orbit on a moment’s notice, with help from the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit. The two organizations put out a solicitation to industry Aug. 24 for its next “tactically responsive space” mission, ...

Can Cargo Be Delivered ‘To, From, and Through’ Space? DOD Wants Ideas Soon.

July 4, 2023 | By Chris Gordon
Space is taking on more responsibilities for the U.S. military. Next on the agenda: cargo. A June 30 solicitation from the Defense Innovation Unit is seeking “novel commercial solutions that enable responsive and precise point-to-point delivery of cargo to, from, and through space.” If successful, ...

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Air Force Plans Hundreds of Autonomous Fighter and ISR Drones by 2032

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