WASHINGTON — US Central Command is standing up a new innovation task force to pilfer tech from the services — like counter-drone weapons and unmanned maritime vessels — to field to troops in the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Asia at a faster clip, according to an announcement today.
“Our goal is to rapidly deliver innovation, meaning putting combat-credible capability into the hands of our warfighters in 60 days or less,” Joy Shanaberger, CENTCOM’s chief technology officer, said in the statement.
Shanaberger is now standing up the new Rapid Employment Joint Task Force (REJTF) and tasked with pulling capabilities from several service-level task forces working on things like counter-drone weapons, AI and unmanned ground logistics vehicles. Those other task forces include:
- Army Central Command’s Task Force 39 which is experimenting with additive manufacturing, counter-drone technologies and unmanned ground logistics vehicles;
- Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 59 that is working with robotic and AI systems for maritime operations;
- Air Force Central Command’s Task Force 99 that is eyeing lower cost ways to 3D print aerial drones and long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms; and
- Special Operations Command Central’s Task Force 179 which is developing digital and unmanned solutions for ISR, target sharing, electronic warfare and payload delivery options.
“We will find newer, better, and more efficient ways to equip our forces while working alongside our regional partners,” said Shanaberger.
The standup of Shanaberger’s new REJTF comes at a time when the department is looking for ways to get new tech into operators’ hands more quickly in line with a mid-summer directive from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to accelerate the acquisition and fielding of cheaper drones.
“This is about getting new warfighting capabilities into the hands of our skilled warfighters faster,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander in the statement. “The new task force will synergize existing efforts among our Service components and support Secretary Hegseth’s drive to rapidly equip our warriors.”