# Army Prioritizes Uncrewed Aircraft Fielding

The U.S. Army appointed Col. Christopher C. Getter to lead its Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Office, succeeding Col. Danielle R. Medaglia. Getter’s stated priorities include transitioning from legacy systems to next-generation capabilities and fielding systems at speed and scale. The Army’s UAS Marketplace has directed more than $800 million cumulatively to the industrial base, indicating an established procurement channel for getting capabilities to military units; the announcement does not include a new solicitation or contract award.

- The leadership transition and emphasis on rapid, large-scale fielding signal continued Army focus on next-generation uncrewed aircraft capabilities.
- Companies can evaluate whether their UAS offerings align with the Army’s stated modernization and fielding priorities and the UAS Marketplace procurement channel.
- The **more than $800 million** figure is cumulative marketplace activity, not a newly announced award; contractors should not treat this announcement as an open solicitation.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** October 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- Project Manager Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (PM UAS)
- Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air (PAE)
- Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier)

### Key Quotes
> Over $800 million has flowed directly through the marketplace and into our industrial base, getting critical capabilities to the warfighter faster than ever.
> — Col. Danielle R. Medaglia, outgoing Project Manager, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

> Our only metric is fielded lethal kit at speed and scale and enabling American drone dominance.
> — Col. Christopher C. Getter, Project Manager, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

### Sources
- [Getter takes reins of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems; Medaglia concludes Army career](https://www.army.mil/article-amp/296485/getter_takes_reins_of_uncrewed_aircraft_systems_medaglia_concludes_army_career) - Army.mil