The Defense Department has opened applications for the next phase of its mass drone procurement initiative, at the same time unveiling its request for $53.6 billion in mandatory spending on uncrewed aerial systems. It’s the largest investment in drone warfare by the Pentagon ever, acting DOD Comptroller Jay Hurst said yesterday during a press briefing on the department’s fiscal year 2027 budget request. “Drone warfare is rapidly reshaping the modern battlefield, and this budget is the largest investment in drone...