US autonomous systems policy struggles to keep pace with drones

U.S. policymakers are moving to accelerate the adoption and regulation of autonomous systems, but government frameworks still risk falling behind rapidly evolving drone and artificial intelligence technologies, industry leaders said during a cybersecurity panel discussion on June 10, 2026, in Washington.

Brett Freedman, senior director for emerging technology at the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT), said advances in autonomous systems, drone threats and AI-enabled warfare have consistently outpaced the policies and laws intended to govern them. Recent federal actions seek to narrow that gap, including a directive calling for faster AI adoption across the national security enterprise and an update to longstanding policy governing lethal autonomous systems.

Michael Robbins, president and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), said the government's push to accelerate policy is ambitious but reflects growing recognition that the United States needs to move faster.

While the U.S. remains strong in areas such as software and advanced AI models, Robbins said it trails in hardware manufacturing, autonomous-system integration and the development of tactics, training, procedures and standards. Future military operations will also require greater autonomy because there will not be enough personnel to individually control the number of systems expected on the battlefield, he said.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how quickly drone technology and tactics can change. Robbins said the conflict underscores the need to replace lengthy acquisition cycles with continuous experimentation and upgrades. He pointed to a Ukrainian approach that directs most spending toward proven technology while reserving a portion for new systems that may fail but can drive innovation.

The Pentagon is experimenting with similar ideas through programs that establish purchasing targets and performance requirements before companies compete in field tests. Robbins said traditional procurement processes can take so long that technology may become obsolete before acquisition is completed.

Supply chain security presents another challenge. Robbins supported U.S. restrictions on Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, citing government concerns about national security risks, but criticized broader restrictions covering foreign drones and components. He argued that U.S. manufacturers need trusted suppliers from allied countries to reach sufficient scale and compete globally.

Regulators also need rules flexible enough to accommodate technological change, Robbins said. He advocated performance- and risk-based requirements for beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations rather than prescriptive regulations that could quickly become outdated.

The discussion closed with concerns about whether the U.S. is prepared for malicious drone activity against critical infrastructure and major public events. Robbins said recently expanded counter-drone authorities represent progress but remain insufficient.

“I don't think the country is ready," Robbins said, although he added that preparations have improved significantly over the past six months.