Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks has announced the next phase of capabilities for the Replicator initiative, aimed at accelerating the deployment of autonomous systems across multiple domains. This second phase, known as Replicator 1.2, will include air and maritime systems alongside software enhancements to boost autonomy and resilience.

"The Replicator initiative is demonstrably reducing barriers to innovation, and delivering capabilities to warfighters at a rapid pace," stated Hicks. The goal is to field thousands of these systems by August 2025.

More than 500 commercial firms were evaluated for potential hardware and software contracts, with over 30 companies selected for awards. Notably, 75 percent are non-traditional defense contractors.

Replicator-1 Tranche 2 includes the Army's Company-Level Small UAS effort featuring Anduril Industries' Ghost-X and Performance Drone Works' C-100 UAS. These drones will aid in reconnaissance and target acquisition missions.

"Ukraine has demonstrated the value of small, attritable drones on the battlefield," noted Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army.

The Marine Corps will scale loitering munitions through experimentation with Anduril Industries' Altius-600 under its Organic Precision Fires program. "Replicator is helping Marines experiment with a portfolio of systems that deliver organic, loitering, beyond-line-of-sight precision strike capability," said Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith.

The Air Force's Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) has also been selected for development under Replicator 1.2 with prototypes from several vendors including Anduril Industries and Leidos Dynetics being tested.

"The ETV's modular design and open system architecture make it an ideal platform," commented Gen. Jim Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

Additionally, classified systems such as low-cost long-range strike capabilities are part of this tranche.

The Department continues to focus on collaborative autonomy teaming through integrated enablers capable of coordinating unmanned assets securely.

"Combining cutting-edge hardware with cutting-edge software...is at the heart of the very best technology in the commercial sector," said Doug Beck, Director of DIU.

The Replicator initiative aims to fill operational gaps by August 2025 through these developments.