Since 2001, U.S. spending on unmanned systems has steadily increased — in the next budget request, the Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking an increase of almost $870 million, more than 18.4 percent over the $4.53 billion spent so far this year.

Last year the Pentagon spent $3.9 on UAVs; spending on unmanned systems has increased 37.5 percent over the past two years. Among the programs supported in the next budget: five RQ-4 Global Hawk UAVs ($608 million) and 24 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs ($489 million.) There will be spending in the neighborhood of $2.13 billion in purchasing 36 Predators ($651 million), 704 Raven Small UAVs ($79 million) and $609 million will be spent on RQ-7 Shadow tactical UAV system modifications. The Army is also planning to spend $125.6 million on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). These are included as part of the Future Combat Systems brigade combat team modernization program, for which the several new robots are being developed — including the iRobot Small UGV. Lockheed Martin is working on the multifunction utility logistics equipment (MULE) UGV. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are buying about $1 billion worth, about 80 percent is being directed toward research and development programs. The procurement budget will total about $180 million, including 11 RQ-7 Shadow UAV systems and 517 Ravens for the Marines, while the Navy will acquire five MQ-8 Fire Scout UAVs for $77.6 million. The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) will also receive about $50 million to sustain operations of Reaper, Predator and Small Tactical UAS (STUAS).