# Pentagon Accelerates Drone Procurement

A September 30, 2026 policy direction establishes the Pentagon’s Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) as a new team intended to accelerate acquisition of military drones and counter-drone capabilities and support a planned Autonomous Warfare Command. Bonnie Evangelista is reported to lead acquisition for the team, although the Pentagon had not confirmed her role. The direction emphasizes connecting operators with innovators and competitive manufacturers and building a repeatable, adaptable procurement approach; no solicitation, contract value, or procurement contact was identified.

- The initiative signals a procurement focus on acquiring adaptable drone and counter-drone capabilities, rather than a single platform, and on connecting operational users with manufacturers.
- Drone and counter-drone suppliers may find opportunities as the team develops its acquisition approach, but the signal does not identify an active solicitation or specific procurement timeline.
- Companies working in this market can assess how their offerings support adaptable operational use and competitive procurement; no specific submission action is available from the information provided.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS)
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

### Key Quotes
> This must yield a repeatable procurement system whose output is not a particular drone, but the ability to adapt in combat, on the right side of the cost exchange.
> — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

### Sources
- [Bonnie Evangelista to lead drone buying on Pentagon's new DRPM-UxS team | DefenseScoop](https://defensescoop.com/2026/10/06/pentagon-drpm-uxs-drone-acquisition-bonnie-evangelista) - DefenseScoop