🇺🇸⚡️ U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered a sweeping overhaul of drone policy to accelerate production, deployment, and integration of small drones across the military.

➡️ In new memos obtained by Fox News, he stripped away legacy restrictions, allowing colonels and captains to independently procure and test drones, including 3D-printed and commercial models, without higher-level approval.

➡️ Small drones (Groups 1 and 2) are now categorized as consumables, not durable assets, removing bureaucratic hurdles to acquisition and training. Commanders are also instructed to expand training ranges, conduct live-fire and swarm tests, and fast-track drone combat integration by 2026.

➡️ Weaponization requests must now be processed within 30 days, and battery certifications within a week.

➡️ The Pentagon will launch a searchable "Blue List" of approved drone parts and vendors, powered by AI and managed by DCMA by 2026. It also plans to support domestic drone makers through purchase commitments and capital incentives.

➡️ Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. must catch up to Russia, China, and Iran in drone warfare, citing recent lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East.

➡️ He expects the U.S. to achieve dominance in unmanned systems by 2027, with drone-on-drone combat training starting next year.

@TabZLIVE

🇺🇦❌🇷🇺 Ukrainian drones are flying over the Kursk region and making their way towards Moscow via the Oryol and Lipetsk regions.

@TabZLIVE