The US Department of Defense has started taking delivery of first-person view (FPV) drones procured through the first phase of its Drone Dominance initiative, a $1 billion effort focused on rapidly fielding affordable and expendable unmanned systems across the military.
The program’s initial procurement round, known as Gauntlet 1, selected multiple drone manufacturers following a series of competitive evaluations designed to assess operational performance, reliability, and battlefield effectiveness.
Among the first companies to complete deliveries is Neros, which has shipped 2,400 units of its Archer quadcopter. According to available program data, more than 1,000 of those drones have already been formally accepted into military service.
Other participants, including Nokturnal AI and Ascent Aerosystems, have together delivered hundreds of additional systems, while several other vendors remain in the early stages of production and distribution.
Despite receiving the largest number of orders during the competition, Skycutter had not yet begun deliveries at the time of reporting.
EquippingEvery Squad WithDrones
The Drone Dominance initiative reflects lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where low-cost FPV drones have become a key element of battlefield operations.
Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have demonstrated the effectiveness of inexpensive unmanned systems against armored vehicles, defensive positions, and other tactical targets, prompting military planners worldwide to accelerate drone adoption programs.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Army to ensure that every squad is equipped with small FPV drones by the end of fiscal year 2026, significantly expanding the role of unmanned systems at the tactical level.
According to Pentagon officials, the initiative is intended not only to provide troops with new battlefield capabilities but also to strengthen the domestic defense industrial base and accelerate the introduction of emerging technologies into operational units.
NextPhaseAlready in Preparation
Following the completion of Gauntlet 1, defense officials are reportedly preparing a second phase of the competition focused on long-range strike capabilities and close-range tactical systems.
Interest from industry remains strong, with dozens of companies submitting proposals for consideration as the Pentagon continues its effort to rapidly expand America’s drone capabilities.
The Drone Dominance program highlights a broader shift in military planning, as armed forces increasingly view low-cost unmanned systems as essential tools for future combat operations.
