Why the Pentagon wants a new drone chief, plus GCAP moves ahead
In this week’s episode of The Break Out, Breaking Defense Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Deputy Editor Lee Ferran discuss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s new memo, first reported by Breaking Defense, creating a Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager (DRPM) for autonomy, which concerns all ground vehicles, all small-to-medium air vehicles and almost all sea platforms. Why now? And what’s the scope of this new position?
Then Mehta and Ferran unpack the latest developments in the multinational race for a sixth-generation aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
The Pentagon is establishing a Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for autonomy, overseeing military ground vehicles, small-to-medium air vehicles, and sea platforms. This initiative is part of ongoing developments in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) aimed at advancing sixth-generation aircraft capabilities.
- The Pentagon is creating a Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for autonomy in military vehicles.
- This position will oversee ground vehicles, small-to-medium air vehicles, and sea platforms.
- The report highlights developments in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) for sixth-generation aircraft.