Drones take over AUSA, plus the Army’s plan to bring in new vendors
Autonomy was everywhere at the 2026 AUSA expo in Washington. In this episode of The Break Out, Breaking Defense Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Land Warfare Reporter Carley Welch discuss how drones, low-cost interceptors, lasers and electronic warfare swarmed the show floor as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth brought the service secretaries together to reinforce the Pentagon’s push toward autonomous systems.
Welch also talks with the Army’s Chief Technology Officer Alex Miller about another shift underway inside the service: opening acquisition programs to broader and more sustained competition. Miller explains why the Army wants to avoid locking itself into one solution too early, and how a new acquisition pathway is intended to give emerging defense companies a clearer route from promising technology to programs at scale.
The 2026 AUSA expo in Washington showcased advancements in military technology, including drones and electronic warfare systems. The U.S. Army announced plans to open its acquisition programs to a wider range of vendors, aiming to enhance competition and avoid early commitment to single solutions.
- The 2026 AUSA expo featured a focus on autonomy in military technology.
- Drones and electronic warfare systems were prominently showcased.
- The Army is seeking to broaden its acquisition programs to include more vendors.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the Pentagon's push towards autonomous systems.