Washington, D.C. – In a significant move to accelerate the development, acquisition, and integration of unmanned systems across the U.S. military, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a memorandum announcing the creation of a new Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager (DRPM) for Unmanned Systems.

The memorandum, directed to senior Pentagon leadership, service secretaries, and combatant commanders, establishes a streamlined, high-level oversight structure aimed at addressing urgent operational needs in contested environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and against emerging peer threats. This initiative builds on broader defense acquisition reforms and recent directives emphasizing rapid scaling of drone and autonomous technologies.

Key Provisions of the MemorandumAccording to the document, the DRPM for Unmanned Systems will report directly to the Deputy Secretary of War. The role is designed to centralize authority, reduce bureaucratic layers, and ensure faster decision-making for programs involving unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned maritime vehicles, ground robotics, and collaborative autonomous platforms.The new portfolio manager will have broad responsibilities, including:

• Overseeing acquisition, development, and fielding of critical unmanned programs across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
• Coordinating with existing program executive offices while maintaining direct lines to the Deputy Secretary for high-priority initiatives.
• Prioritizing rapid prototyping, testing, and deployment of low-cost, attritable systems alongside more advanced platforms.
• Aligning unmanned systems investments with national security objectives, such as countering adversary drone swarms and enhancing joint all-domain operations.
• Streamlining procurement to favor U.S. manufacturers and supporting industrial base growth. media.defense.gov

This structure mirrors the recently established DRPM for Critical Major Weapon Systems (currently led by Gen. Dale R. White, overseeing programs like the B-21, F-47, and Sentinel ICBM), reflecting a broader Pentagon shift toward empowered portfolio managers who can cut through traditional silos.