In a major shake-up of the Pentagon’s drone defense efforts, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Army to dismantle its Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO) and stand up a new warfighting organization: Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401).
The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s wider campaign to restore sovereignty over U.S. airspace, following Executive Order 14305, signed by President Trump on June 6, 2025.
JIATF 401 will report directly to Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg, and unlike its predecessor, the new task force comes locked and loaded with real acquisition power, special hiring authorities, and a direct mission: rapidly field counter-drone capabilities to outpace adversaries at home and abroad.
“JIATF 401 is a new unified team that’s going to bring together our best talent from all our agencies to counter these threats and restore control of our skies,” said Hegseth in a video statement on X.
Hostile drones are growing by the day.
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) August 28, 2025
That’s why I’ve directed @SecArmy to establish the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 to secure our skies. pic.twitter.com/0ZbLYpDLaG
“We’re moving fast, cutting through bureaucracy, consolidating resources, and empowering this task force with the utmost authority to outpace our adversaries.”
Why the JCO Is Being Shut Down
Since 2020, the Army-led JCO has worked to guide doctrine, recommend equipment, and shape counter-drone policy across the Department of Defense. But the office lacked the power to procure systems or drive innovation at the speed of the threat. According to Gen. James Mingus, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, senior leaders had been advocating for a faster solution for months.
“We cannot move fast enough in this space,” Mingus said bluntly, signaling a shift to a more agile and empowered organizational model.
JIATF 401: What Makes It Different
JIATF 401 is built to move. Fast. And with teeth.
Here’s how:
- $50 million per project authority: The task force director can greenlight major projects without slow acquisition boards.
- Flexible funding: Congress is being asked to back “colorless money” lines for counter-UAS, UAS, and EW in the FY26 budget.
- Special hiring power: Bypassing traditional HR delays, the task force will recruit top scientists and warfighters from across DoD and civilian agencies.
- Jointly manned, interagency supported: Each service must assign 4 experts, including an O-5 or higher, with backgrounds in intel, EW, acquisition, or operations.
- Fast-start facilities: The Army and WHS have 30 days to secure classified workspace near the Pentagon to get boots on the ground.
Replicator 2 and a New Test Range
The Replicator 2 program, focused on countering drone swarms and asymmetric drone threats at military bases worldwide, will be consolidated under JIATF 401. It will work closely with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to direct innovation and funding.
Additionally, the Pentagon’s Chief Technology Officer, Emil Michael, has been tasked with recommending a dedicated test and training range for drone warfare within the next 30 days.
A Clear Chain of Command
Unlike past initiatives that suffered from redundancy and bureaucratic overlap, JIATF 401 will have a clear and powerful command structure:
- Reports directly to the Deputy Secretary of Defense
- Backed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment
- Resourced through FY27 by CAPE and the Comptroller’s Office
- Personnel assigned by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who must submit a full implementation plan within 30 days
Not Just a Combat Problem
While small drones have plagued U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, and Ukraine, the Department of Defense has made it clear that this is now a homeland security issue too. Drones can deliver explosives, conduct surveillance, or jam signals across both urban and rural America.
A December 2024 DoD strategy document previously labeled small drones as “the most significant threat at this time and increasingly in the U.S. homeland.”
The new task force aims to change that.
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