Pentagon eyes drone testing ground in Mississippi
The U.S. Special Operations Command plans to establish an 'Autonomous Warfare Proving Ground' in Mississippi to test drones and autonomous systems, citing vulnerabilities exposed in conflicts like those in Ukraine and the Middle East. The project, tied to the Pentagon’s 'US Drone Dominance Memo,' aims to accelerate drone development and counter adversary advancements, with collaboration events scheduled for July 2026.
The U.S. Special Operations Command is developing a new testing facility in Mississippi to evaluate autonomous drones and related technologies. The 'Autonomous Warfare Proving Ground' will expand existing ranges at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, supporting air, sea, and ground-based drone operations, including electromagnetic testing and potential operations from 'seabed to low Earth orbit.' The initiative follows concerns that the U.S. military is falling behind in counter-drone capabilities, particularly after Iran’s low-cost unmanned systems threatened troops and infrastructure during conflicts. The Pentagon’s 2025 'US Drone Dominance Memo' directs the command to lead drone technology development, ensuring U.S. military advantage and allied interoperability. The project aligns with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s July 2025 memorandum to boost domestic drone production and streamline acquisitions, building on the Trump administration’s 2025 executive order mandating U.S.-made drones for military use. SOCOM and SOFWERX will host a collaboration event in July 2026 for military officials, companies, and researchers to prototype and develop drone systems. Located near the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Stennis Space Center offers restricted airspace, waterway access, and isolation for testing. The proving ground will integrate industry, academic, and national lab expertise to address gaps in autonomous warfare readiness.
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