DIU Offers $100M in Prizes for Voice-Controlled Drone Swarm 'Orchestrator'
January 15, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1768504890594-1972
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking companies to develop AI-powered ‘orchestrator’ control software for whole formations of unmanned air, ground, and water vehicles. The project aims to move beyond the current labor-intensive model by developing an Autonomous Vehicle Orchestrator that can turn plain-English instructions into detailed machine-readable commands. Breaking Defense reports that the DIU has committed $100 million in prize money, with submissions due by Jan. 25.
Key Takeaways
- The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is offering up to $100 million dollars in prizes for companies to prototype new user-friendly ‘orchestrator’ control software.
- Submissions are due by Jan. 25, and selected performers must begin Sprint 1 testing within 10 days of selection notification.
- The project aims to develop an Autonomous Vehicle Orchestrator, an AI mediator between human and machine that turns plain-English instructions into detailed machine-readable commands the robots can execute.
Strategic Implications
This initiative may indicate the Pentagon’s growing interest in developing autonomous drone swarms for military applications. The focus on voice control suggests a need for user-friendly interfaces, which could benefit not only military operations but also civilian drone usage. The $100 million prize money could accelerate innovation in this area.