Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle directed the establishment of the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) on Oct. 1 and ordered changes to Army force structure, acquisition and personnel.
FASCOM will integrate autonomous capabilities no later than fiscal year 2028 into at least six areas: aviation, armor, fires, sustainment, engineer and training formations. It will prioritize collaborative teaming between crewed and uncrewed platforms, and the acquisition and fielding of autonomous fires, breaching, combat vehicles, reconnaissance, surveillance target acquisition capabilities, and watercraft resupply. The priorities build on efforts already underway, including the integration of autonomous technologies across multiple Army portfolios.
To address the technical expertise required to employ autonomous systems, the Army will expand authorizations for 15X Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Specialists and 390A Robotics Technicians across applicable units. This will include increased trained autonomy professionals closer to tactical formations.
“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,” Telle said.
Telle’s orders are part of an initiative to institutionalize autonomous warfare and give soldiers the capabilities and expertise needed to operate on a rapidly changing battlefield.