US Army Plans One Million Drones With SkyFoundry Program
The US Army is aiming to field at least one million drones within the next two to three years, combining public-private partnerships with in-house manufacturing to meet rapidly growing operational demands.
The plan, announced during a visit by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to Picatinny Arsenal, is part of a new pilot program called SkyFoundry, designed to accelerate domestic drone production and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
An army spokesperson told The Military Times that the initiative will provide a mix of expendable drones and more durable systems, ensuring soldiers are equipped for both offensive operations and counter-drone missions.
SkyFoundry aims to revitalize the US drone industry by producing low-cost components, increasing access to rare earth materials, and creating a scalable production model that could make drones as ubiquitous on the battlefield as traditional munitions.
Rapid Drone Developments by the US
The US has already been advancing drone capabilities across multiple domains.
Grey Eagle Extended Range drones have been deployed by the army for long-endurance reconnaissance and precision strike missions.
The navy also recently tested the MQ-25 Stingray, a carrier-based drone designed for aerial refueling and surveillance.
Meanwhile, the air force continues to expand its fleet of MQ-9 Reapers, integrating advanced sensors and AI-assisted targeting for both surveillance and combat roles.
On the smaller end, the Pentagon has fielded swarms of micro-drones, including the Perdix system, which can operate collectively to overwhelm defenses or perform reconnaissance in contested environments.
