The U.S. military established the Autonomous Warfare Command under SOUTHCOM on April 21, 2026, to enhance its capacity for AI warfare by deploying drones across Latin America. Directed by U.S. Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, this new command aligns with the U.S. President’s National Security Strategy and focuses on integrating AI, fostering human-machine collaboration, and disrupting narcoterrorist networks across various domains, from the seafloor to space.

SOUTHCOM: U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is one of the U.S. military’s six geographically focused unified combatant commands, responsible for defense and security cooperation with partner nations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and surrounding waters. SOUTHCOM recently established the Autonomous Warfare Command (SAWC) to integrate and deploy autonomous, semi-autonomous, and unmanned platforms across its area of responsibility. This new command supports national security priorities by countering regional threats through advanced unmanned systems like drones.

Leadership: Directed by Commander U.S. Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan to align with the U.S. President’s National Security Strategy.
Mission Focus: Emphasizes AI integration, human-machine teaming, and disruption of narcoterrorist networks across domains from seafloor to space.
Command Establishment: SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command was established on April 21, 2026, to employ unmanned platforms for operational dominance.