The emerging class of autonomous aircraft is already being pursued by the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. But the Army aviation community’s interest in autonomous air vehicle technology has been limited to the Launched Effects programs, which intend to stockpile systems that function like multimission drones and munitions.

President Donald Trump has ordered an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean, a major escalation of warships in the region as the U.S. attacks alleged drug-running boats and increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.