Technologie · GCAP fighter · ArchiefPentagon creates new drone chief role, as GCAP fighter program lands $6.1 billion contractGeschreven 7 september 2026 om 21:22 UTCKijkenTranscript0:00The Pentagon is creating a powerful new0:03office to centralize control over the0:05military's growing fleet of drones and0:07autonomous systems.0:09But more than a week after the0:10announcement, no one has been named to0:13lead it.0:14The new direct reporting portfolio0:16manager, or DRPM, pronounced Derpum,0:19will oversee small to medium unmanned0:22aircraft, ground vehicles, surface and0:24underwater vessels, command and control0:26systems, and autonomy software across0:29the entire Department of Defense. Group0:311 through 3 covers small to medium0:33drones. The portfolio also includes most0:36unmanned surface vessels, underwater0:39drones, and the command and control and0:41autonomy software that ties them all0:43together. Two existing offices, the0:46Joint Acquisition Task Force on Counter0:48UAS, known as Jackda, and the Defense0:50Innovation Unit's Replicator effort,0:52will now operate as deputy offices under0:55this single manager.0:57Three executives under the DRPM will0:59report directly to Deputy Secretary of1:01Defense Stephen Feinberg. The Pentagon1:04memo creating the role was issued last1:06week, but the position itself has not1:08yet been filled.1:10Separately, the Global Combat Air1:13Program, the British Italian Japanese1:16sixth-generation fighter project, has1:18been awarded a $6.1 billion contract to1:21finalize its concept phase and begin1:23detailed development. The announcement1:25comes after the collapse of its European1:27rival, the FCAS program involving1:30France, Germany, and Spain, which is now1:32considered defunct. The GCAP partnership1:35spans the United Kingdom, Italy, and1:37Japan.1:38The now defunct FCAS nations are France,1:41Germany, and Spain.1:43Japan had previously expressed concerns1:45about UK delays on GCAP, but recent1:48British defense investment appears to1:50have allayed those worries. The GCAP1:52agency declared that the future has1:54never been more solid for the program,1:56widely seen as a pointed reference to1:58FK's collapse.2:00This week's NATO summit in Ankara,2:02Turkey, adds another layer.2:05The Trump administration is reportedly2:07considering Turkey's re-entry into the2:09F-35 program and potential US engine2:12sales for Turkey's domestic fighter jet.2:14All of this sets the stage for the2:16Farnborough Airshow in just a few weeks,2:18where Gecap is expected to feature2:20prominently.Lees het artikelTijdlijn van het verhaalHeyDexDe korte video ↗
