The Pentagon is turning to Ukraine's battlefield expertise as it races to build the next generation of combat drones, with a new partnership focused on artificial intelligence capable of controlling entire drone swarms. US drone maker Powerus and Ukrainian company Swarmer are working together under the Pentagon's Drone Dominance Program, reflecting Washington's growing recognition that lessons from Ukraine are reshaping the future of modern warfare. Ukraine's Battlefield Innovation Goes Global The programme aims to rapidly expand production of low-cost first-person-view attack drones while introducing swarm technology that allows a single operator to direct multiple aircraft simultaneously. Powerus president Brett Velicovich described swarming as a major force multiplier, arguing the technology enhances human decision-making rather than replacing it. The move comes as US defence planners seek to close a major production gap. America currently manufactures around 50,000 drones annually, far below the volumes achieved by both Ukraine and Russia during the war. Pentagon Sets Tough Standards The US Department of Defense has capped the target price at $5,000 per drone. Although Ukrainian volunteer-built FPV drones often cost under $500, American military requirements demand higher certification standards, stricter quality controls and the removal of Chinese-made components. Powerus says the pricing model remains commercially attractive and believes the initiative could revitalise America's domestic drone industry. The company has already secured $30 million in investment while integrating artificial intelligence for increasingly autonomous flight. Battlefield Tests Drive Future Plans Powerus has already tested its Guardian-1 interceptor drones in Ukraine, including launches from containers mounted on unmanned robotic boats, demonstrating new deployment options for future conflicts. Meanwhile, Kyiv is seeking to turn wartime innovation into a long-term strategic asset. Ukraine has introduced a fast-track system to export domestically produced weapons and is pursuing international "Drone Deals" with partner nations. Talks are also continuing over a proposed five-year, $50 billion agreement with the United States that could see Ukraine produce up to 10 million drones annually in exchange for investment and defence procurement, underscoring the growing strategic value of its battlefield technology. Pentagon interested in Ukrainian tech for controlling AI drone swarms, Forbes reports
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