Critical Gaps in U.S. Drone Capabilities Revealed by Recent Military Exercises in Alaska
Recent military exercises in Alaska have underscored significant shortcomings in the United States’ drone capabilities. During these exercises, American-made prototype drones reportedly faced multiple challenges, including failures to launch, ineffective targeting, and frequent crashes. Meanwhile, soldiers struggled with jamming technologies that were supposed to neutralize adversary drones. Pentagon officials and experts, including Trent Emeneker from the Defense Innovation Unit, indicate that the U.S. is falling behind China and Russia in areas such as drone production, troop training, and counter-drone technology.
The State of U.S. Drone Technology
While the U.S. has made significant investments in advanced systems like the Reaper and Predator drones—each costing tens of millions—it’s important to recognize the growing dominance of cheaper alternatives. The Chinese company DJI, for instance, is producing millions of low-cost drones annually for commercial use. However, due to cybersecurity concerns, U.S. law prohibits the military from purchasing DJI drones, leaving domestic suppliers struggling to enhance their production capacity and compete effectively.
Pentagon’s New Initiative for Drone Acquisition
In a July 2025 video announcement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth introduced a transformative reform aimed at accelerating drone acquisition and deployment. This initiative is encapsulated in a new Pentagon policy memo titled “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance.” Notably, it reclassifies small drones—categorized as Group 1 and Group 2—so they are treated more like expendable munitions rather than traditional aircraft. This allows lower-ranking commanders greater autonomy in purchasing, testing, and deploying these drones.
The updated policy includes several key changes: it relaxes airworthiness requirements, sidesteps certain NATO standards, and encourages the use of 3D printing for quicker field production. Furthermore, installations are set to create new drone training facilities, with each military branch mandated to establish dedicated drone units and offices by the fall of 2025.
The Role of Private Industry in Drone Development
As the military pushes for advancements in drone technology, U.S. startups are stepping up to meet increasing demand. Companies such as Neros, Anduril, and Unusual Machines are leading the charge, focusing on developing systems that reduce reliance on foreign drones. Neros, which has been active in supplying Ukrainian forces and participated in the Alaska exercises, showcased its Archer drone, notable for its ability to resist jamming and maintain operational status.
However, the majority of U.S. drone firms are relatively small, with around 500 existing in the market. While there is a palpable enthusiasm for innovation, these companies often face hurdles in matching the production volume and reliability of industry giants like DJI. Experts caution that scaling up will require substantial investment and time.
Implications for Future Conflicts
The Pentagon’s current focus is on large-scale conflict scenarios, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where China has notably expanded its drone and naval capabilities. The urgency of this shift is further amplified by the battlefield realities witnessed in Ukraine, where small drones have fundamentally altered combat dynamics. Secretary Hegseth emphasized that every military squad should have access to low-cost drones by the end of 2026, prioritizing Indo-Pacific units.
While small drones may encounter challenges in long-range operations across the Pacific, they are crucial for tactical missions and asymmetrical warfare. Officials are adamant that these reforms are essential for ensuring U.S. forces are adequately equipped for future drone-centric battlefields, making it imperative to address current deficiencies in training and technology.