The U.S. Army is working to make robots and autonomous systems a routine part of its combat formations rather than experimental add-ons, according to Army Recognition. The service has set up a Futures and Autonomous Systems Command, called FASCOM, to lead the effort, with priority capabilities targeted for fielding by fiscal year 2028.

The plan touches six branches: aviation, armor, fires, sustainment, engineer and training. The goal is to let formations operate more sensors, vehicles and weapons without proportionally increasing soldiers’ exposure to danger. In practice, future brigades would mix crewed vehicles with ground robots, drones, launched effects, autonomous sensors and uncrewed logistics.

The programs named in the report include:

• ALTIUS 700 medium-range launched effects, tested in February 2026, and AEVEX’s Atlas 600 and other long-range effects.
• The Joint Autonomous Aerial Resupply System, which received a production contract in March 2026.
• The Infantry Last Tactical Mile initiative, with six companies selected.
• A new 390A Robotics Technician career field and an expansion of the 15X tactical drone specialist role.

The personnel changes may matter as much as the hardware. Fielding robots at scale requires soldiers trained to operate, maintain and repair them, and a dedicated career field gives the Army a way to build that expertise instead of leaning on contractors or ad hoc training.

Source: Army Recognition. ORBATMag has not independently confirmed the details of the Army’s plan.