The most surprising thing here is that the US was previously only spending $225 Million on drones when it’s been fully apparent for the past decade(s) that drones were the future of warfare.
Took a war to realize this.
two wars
Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
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Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#12Doesn’t seem anywhere near enough. All future and present conflict is fundamentally based around drones.
The whole selling point of drones is that they are _cheap_. Spending billions brings you back to missile territory.
Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#13Misleading title: this article says it is seeking a budget increase, not that it's been approved
>The funding request, a dramatic surge from roughly $225 million a year earlier, signals a major shift in how the U.S. military plans to fight future wars, accelerating a move toward large numbers of lower-cost, AI-enabled systems.
The merits of this ask within this insane administration basically means nothing IMO. Hegseth could ask for cybernetic ponies with beer coolers and I wouldn't be surprised.
Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#14The most surprising thing here is that the US was previously only spending $225 Million on drones when it’s been fully apparent for the past decade(s) that drones were the future of warfare.
It didn't make sense to physically stock up on them before. It was mostly research, prototyping, comms infrastructure, software for swarms, AI piloting, ground control, etc. The next phase of building factories and manufacturing tooling/capabilities is a little bit concerning.
Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#15Doesn’t seem anywhere near enough. All future and present conflict is fundamentally based around drones.
Still seems to be cyber warfare and mass social engineering.
Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#16The most surprising thing here is that the US was previously only spending $225 Million on drones when it’s been fully apparent for the past decade(s) that drones were the future of warfare.
Took a war to realize this.
Took getting their asses handed to them in a war to realize this.
Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#17But, but... What about Tom Cruise... on the flight deck... with his bomber jacket!!!
This is... UNAMERICAN!!!
p.s. This comment is sarcasm. For the unmitigated reality, please refer to your 1950s "duck and cover" propaganda...
Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#18Reminder: The Trump family has direct involvement in drone companies https://apnews.com/article/trump-sons-powerus-drone-intercep...
Yep. Unfortunately in 2026 if you look in the news at the US government spending and see a very big number, it is probably self-dealing / corruption to the Trump family.
Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#19Misleading title: this article says it is seeking a budget increase, not that it's been approved >The funding request, a dramatic surge from roughly $225 million a year earlier, signals a major shift in how the U.S. military plans to fight future wars, accelerating a move toward large numbers of lower-cost, AI-enabled systems. The merits of this ask within this insane administration basically means nothing IMO. Hegse…
> this article says it is seeking a budget increase,
True. An increase to $1.5T by the looks of it.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3882126-pentag...
Re: Pentagon spending on drones jumps from $225M to $55B in one year
#20It would cost less to provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students in the US, but that might actually improve the country's future instead of blowing things up.