Hegseth Unveils Autonomous Warfare Command, Doubles General-Officer Cuts to 20 Percent

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. military on Wednesday, unveiling a new Autonomous Warfare Command for AI-driven weapons and robotics while doubling his planned cuts to general and flag officer positions to 20 percent.

Speaking at a “State of the Force” address to junior officers and enlisted personnel at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Hegseth said the new command would anchor the military’s autonomous and robotic capabilities within its command structures, drawing on lessons from the war in Ukraine, according to CNN and the Associated Press.

The command will be led by a four-star general and aims to rapidly scale drones and autonomous systems across the joint force; a complementary effort dubbed Project Agincourt will overhaul how the military acquires and tests such weapons. A Pentagon memo said the command is expected to go online in October 2027.

Hegseth also announced that general and admiral billets would be reduced by 20 percent by January 1, 2027 — doubling the 10 percent reduction he ordered in May 2025. The cut applies to roughly 800 one-to-four-star positions; Reuters reported some billets will be eliminated and others downgraded, rather than officers being immediately removed.

He argued the military had accumulated unnecessary senior-leadership layers that slow decision-making, and repeated his attacks on what he called “woke” military culture, pledging tougher physical standards and greater combat readiness.

Sources:

• CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/politics/hegseth-speaks-to-military?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_meta
• Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pentagon-chief-set-announce-additional-cuts-senior-officer-positions-2026-09-29/
• AP: https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/Hegseth-Unveils-Sweeping-Military-Overhaul-Targets-Top-Brass-Wokeness/2026/09/30/id/1271287