Cutting Edge Drone Technology

UPAX didn't come to study acquisition policy. They came to solve a capability gap—when Special Operations Forces can't access cutting-edge drone technology, America falls behind in the drone warfare evolution.

What's At Stake

SOCOM faces a critical technology disadvantage as current government policies restrict access to the most advanced commercial UAS systems. While these policies were designed for national security, they've created acquisition bottlenecks that leave U.S. forces operating with outdated drone technology. The war in Ukraine has exposed how far behind America has fallen in drone warfare, where rapid technological evolution outpaces traditional acquisition processes.

Inside the 10th Group Drone Shop

Led by Corinne Privitera, UPAX traveled to Fort Carson to engage directly with the 10th Special Forces Group's innovative response to acquisition challenges. The team toured Matthew Strever's "drone shop," where Special Forces personnel build custom systems when standard procurement fails to deliver mission-specific capabilities.

These conversations revealed how operators work around policy constraints through internal fabrication, the cybersecurity considerations that complicate commercial integration, and the resource drain created by building systems that should be readily available. The team interviewed five active-duty Special Operations groups to understand firsthand how acquisition delays create operational risks.

Policy and Pilot Program Framework

UPAX developed a dual approach: proposed policy changes for SOCOM and a pilot program design that streamlines commercial UAS procurement. Their solution addresses the bureaucratic processes that prevent military units from accessing systems best suited for their missions while maintaining necessary security standards.

The Fort Carson engagement validated their approach through direct feedback from operators who face the consequences of current acquisition limitations. Their framework aims to make the military a major customer of domestic UAS technology, incentivizing growth of the domestic industrial base.

Operators of Another Kind

Corinne Privitera, leading the effort from James Madison University, brought policy analysis expertise to special operations capability challenges. Working alongside teammates Thomas Brickhouse, Matthew Pendall, Madeline Barchok, Samuel Kolb, and Nuri Songer-Johnson, the team combined policy development with direct stakeholder engagement from Special Forces units.

What Comes Next

UPAX continues refining their policy recommendations and pilot program design with input from SOCOM stakeholders. Their solution targets the acquisition speed and flexibility gaps that currently disadvantage U.S. forces in drone warfare, with potential for adoption across the broader DoD.

They didn't just analyze procurement problems. They designed policy solutions for operational advantage.