Insight
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August 26, 2026
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2 minute read
US drone program expands as samarium magnet supply tightens
The Dept of War widened its $1.1 billion Drone Dominance Program in late July, adding a reusable bomber class to the one-way attack drones the effort was built around. The accompanying $32 million Phase 2.5 solicitation seeks up to 1,200 prototypes at no more than $20,000 apiece. Proposals closed in early August, with competitive fly-offs set for October. The program is working toward more than 300,000 one-way attack drones fielded by 2027, and the expansion follows a $500 million, three-year counter-drone contract awarded to AeroVironment in early July under the Domestic Shield base-defense program.
