Deterring China with American Innovation: Pentagon Reveals Replicator Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over the last 20 years, as the U.S. fought in the deserts of the Middle East, China focused on accomplishing the biggest military buildup since World War II. 

“The PRC worked with focus and determination to build a modern military, carefully crafting it to blunt the operational advantages we’ve enjoyed for decades,” said U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

But now, the Pentagon is betting big on American innovation to counter the threat, announcing the Replicator Initiative. 

“This is about mastering the technology of tomorrow,” Hicks said, speaking at the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies conference.

The new strategy centers around the idea of countering China with autonomous systems that are, “small, smart, cheap, and many.”

Hicks says a key will be drawing on systems already in development across the military branches, then determining what’s ready to rapidly implement and distribute to key military assets. 

“That’s the beauty of what software can do for hard power. Delivery doesn’t take several years, or a decade. Our investments in data, AI, and computing are empowering war-fighters in the here and now, in matters of months, weeks, and even days,” Hicks explained.

This new build-up will involve systems like the

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