Senate panel OKs defense bill creating autonomous command

A key Senate committee has advanced a major defense policy bill that would authorize the creation of a new military command dedicated to autonomous warfare and push back on several of the Trump administration's defense priorities. The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 18-9 on Thursday to approve its version of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.

The legislation includes a provision permitting the Department of Defense to establish a Robotic and Autonomous Systems Combatant Command, which would be led by a four-star general. Committee staff said the command is intended to centralize and accelerate the development and fielding of unmanned systems across all military domains, citing inspiration from Ukraine's creation of a drone-focused military branch. The proposed command would have special test and evaluation authorities and limited acquisition powers to experiment with emerging technologies.

The bill also diverges from the administration's requests in several significant areas. It proposes a flat 3.6% pay raise for all military personnel, rejecting a tiered pay increase plan requested by President Donald Trump that offered higher percentages for junior...