AUVSI's Replicator Updates: November 15, 2024

Welcome back to AUVSI’s biweekly newsletter to keep the uncrewed and autonomous systems industries updated on DOD’s Replicator initiative.

DOD’s Replicator 1.2 announcement

Additional Replicator All-Domain Attritable Autonomous Capabilities DOD press release

What’s new: This week, DepSecDef Kathleen Hicks announced additional capabilities selected for accelerated fielding as part of Replicator. Replicator 1.2 includes air and maritime domain systems and autonomy software.

What’s been fielded:

• U.S. Army’s Company-Level Small UAS effort: Anduril Industries Ghost-X and Performance Drone Works C-100 UAS
• U.S. Marine Corps Organic Precision Fires program: Anduril Industries Altius-600
• U.S. Air Force: Enterprise Test Vehicle

What’s next: “You can expect the Department to disclose more information on selected capabilities over the next couple of months,” Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) 's Aditi Kumar told BGov.

New: Dive into Replicator 1.2 capabilities

DOD has confirmed for Replicator-1, Tranche-2:

• Anduril Ghost-X UAS: A rotary-wing aircraft with 20 pound payload capacity, 75 minute endurance, and 15.5 mile range. Anduril Industries
• Precision Drone Works C-100 UAS: A rotary-wing aircraft that with 10 pound payload capacity, 74 minute endurance, and 40 mph maximum speed. PDW
• Of note, both the Ghost-X and PDW C-100 are commercially available, Blue UAS approved platforms and were fielded to provide modular payload capabilities.
• Anduril Altius-600: A loitering munition with weight capacity up to 27 lb and endurance up to 4+ hours.
• The Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV): Vendors currently providing prototypes are Anduril Industries, Integrated Solutions for Systems, Inc. (IS4S) , Leidos Dynetics, and Zone 5 Technologies .
• “Additional systems that remain classified, including low-cost long-range strike capabilities and maritime unmanned systems.”

Catch up quick: Replicator 1.1 capabilities

DOD has confirmed for Replicator-1, Tranche-1:

• AeroVironment Switchblade-600 loitering munition. Find here information about the platform from AUVSI’s exclusive Uncrewed Systems & Robotics Database.
• Production Ready Inexpensive Maritime Expeditionary (PRIME) small Unmanned Surface Vehicles (sUSV) commercial solutions opening. DOD has awarded prototype contracts, “to a mix of mid-size, non-traditional, and venture-backed companies.”
• “Additional capabilities” in the air and maritime domains.

Replicator’s impact: 445 days in

Demand signal to industry, across tranches 1 and 2:

• More than 500 commercial firms competed for Replicator hardware and software contracting and major subcontracting opportunities.
• Contracts have been awarded to more than 30 hardware and software companies, of which 75% are non-traditional firms.

Second iteration announced:

• What’s next: DOD announced in Sept 2024 that Replicator-2 will focus on improved counter small UAS (C-sUAS) protection.

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Learn more.

AUVSI's Defense Advocacy Committee advances policies and funding for uncrewed and autonomous systems in the Department of Defense, ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of autonomous defense technologies. Questions about this newsletter? Contact Chelsie "CJ" Jeppson .