Pentagon Picks Firms to Coordinate Replicator Drone Swarms Against China
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has contracted seven firms to build software for the Pentagon’s Replicator drone-swarm initiative.
The awards have been announced for two key Replicator software efforts: Opportunistic, Resilient and Innovative Expeditionary Network Topology, or ORIENT, and Autonomous Collaborative Teaming, known as ACT.
Viasat, Aalyria, Higher Ground, and IoT/AI have been selected for ORIENT, which seeks to build solutions for resilient command and control for all domain attritable autonomous systems, including aircraft, boats, and land vehicles.
Additionally, Swarm Aero, Anduril Industries, and L3Harris have been contracted for the ACT effort, which includes delivering collaborative mission autonomy software to coordinate thousands of uncrewed assets, even in communications and GNSS-denied environments.
“We believe that best in breed commercial software solutions can significantly enhance DoD modernization efforts,” director of DIU Doug Beck said.
“Many leading AI and autonomy firms are outside of our traditional defense industrial base, and DIU is working actively with partners across the Department to bring the very best capabilities from the US tech sector to bear in support of our most critical warfighter needs. This latest step in the Replicator initiative is a critical example of that teamwork in action.”
Replicator Program
The Replicator program is geared against China to deter a potential Taiwan invasion.
Thousands of low-cost and expendable uncrewed assets across all domains are expected to be procured for the program’s first phase by August 2025.
As of now, only the AeroVironment Switchblade 600 loitering munition has been selected for the program, with more platforms expected to be procured in the near future.
While the assets being procured are primarily for the Indo-Pacific command, eventually they will be scaled across the entire Joint Force.
“Replicator is cutting across silos and accelerating the pace of development for autonomous systems,” Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff US Navy Adm. Christopher Grady said.
“This effort is serving as a pathfinder, and we are learning lessons about processes and technology that will apply to future problems. This will allow us to continue to expand the use of uncrewed systems.”
