{"id":48612,"date":"2026-04-21T22:53:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T22:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2026\/04\/21\/us-southern-command-stands-up-autonomous-unit\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:35:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:35:12","slug":"us-southern-command-stands-up-autonomous-unit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/the-americas\/2026\/04\/21\/us-southern-command-stands-up-autonomous-unit\/","title":{"rendered":"US Southern Command stands up autonomous unit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2025\/12\/22\/trump-nominates-new-head-of-southcom-to-lead-strikes-near-venezuela\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">U.S. Southern Command<\/a> is standing up a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2026\/01\/22\/space-forces-southern-activated-amid-western-hemisphere-focus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">new element<\/a> aimed at connecting tactical missions to long-term outcomes with unmanned systems, the command announced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southcom.mil\/News\/PressReleases\/Article\/4466083\/southcom-establishes-autonomous-warfare-command\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Tuesday<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The development of the Autonomous Warfare Command was mandated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2026\/01\/16\/general-tapped-to-lead-southcom-grilled-over-forces-in-latin-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan<\/a> in an effort to further support the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/news\/your-army\/2023\/10\/11\/army-leaders-see-latin-america-as-backyard-test-bed-for-military-tech\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">Trump administration\u2019s national security objectives<\/a> and SOUTHCOM\u2019s operational dominance, per the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once fully operational, the new command will be tasked with engaging autonomous, semi-autonomous and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/newsletters\/2023\/04\/04\/navy-creating-unmanned-ai-operations-hub-within-us-southern-command\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">unmanned platforms<\/a> to \u201ccounter threats across domains.\u201d The announcement did not specify when SAWC will reach operational status. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFrom the seafloor to space and across the cyber domain, we fully intend to leverage the clear superiority of the American defense ecosystem by deploying cutting-edge innovation and working ever closer with our enduring partners in the region to outmatch those who threaten our collective peace and security,\u201d Donovan said in the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement stated that SAWC will work toward shared purposes with allies and partners in the region, such as missions focused on \u201cdegrading\u201d narcoterrorist and cartel networks and responding to national disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.southcom.mil\/About\/Area-of-Responsibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\">SOUTHCOM\u2019s area of responsibility<\/a> includes the Caribbean, South America and Central America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur geographic area of responsibility has a wide range of conditions, varied terrain and diverse operational environments that make it an ideal setting in which to innovate,\u201d Donovan said in the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is also a region with very capable and committed security partners who lean forward, embrace technologies and are very eager to work collaboratively with us to support regional stability in new and effective ways,\u201d Donovan continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SOUTHCOM, military services and the Department of Defense\u2019s Defense Autonomous Warfare Group will collaborate ahead of SAWC\u2019s full launch, the release noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The groups will strive to ensure that SOUTHCOM will be able to completely integrate the new command into their mission, while pinpointing necessary expertise and capabilities required for the new command\u2019s commencement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The addition of the unmanned-focused unit, meanwhile, continues a trend of increased U.S. emphasis in the region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In January, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2026\/01\/20\/space-force-sets-wear-date-for-training-gear-updates-dress-guidance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2026\/01\/20\/space-force-sets-wear-date-for-training-gear-updates-dress-guidance\/\">U.S. Space Force<\/a> officially activated its southern component, formalizing Space Forces Southern\u2019s role in space capabilities across the Western Hemisphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. Space Command played an integral role in the recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2026\/01\/06\/this-was-surgical-the-tactics-behind-the-maduro-mission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2026\/01\/06\/this-was-surgical-the-tactics-behind-the-maduro-mission\/\">high-risk operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicol\u00e1s Maduro<\/a>, providing space-based capabilities such as satellite communications and position, navigation and timing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2026\/01\/16\/general-tapped-to-lead-southcom-grilled-over-forces-in-latin-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2026\/01\/16\/general-tapped-to-lead-southcom-grilled-over-forces-in-latin-america\/\">Donovan<\/a> assumed command of SOUTHCOM after the Maduro raid, replacing Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, who retired last year amid increasing scrutiny over the Trump administration\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2025\/11\/06\/a-list-of-us-military-strikes-against-alleged-drug-carrying-vessels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2025\/11\/06\/a-list-of-us-military-strikes-against-alleged-drug-carrying-vessels\/\">deadly strikes on alleged drug boats<\/a> in the region, a remarkable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marinecorpstimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2026\/01\/10\/where-trump-has-threatened-to-strike-next\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.marinecorpstimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2026\/01\/10\/where-trump-has-threatened-to-strike-next\/\">extension of American power<\/a> in Latin America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>The Associated Press contributed to this report. <\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Once fully 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