The U.S. Department of Defense’s new directive—“Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance”—represents one of the most aggressive shifts in defense-industrial policy in recent memory. It signals an immediate pivot away from bureaucracy-driven acquisition toward agile, decentralized procurement with battlefield needs at the center. It is not a vision for the future—it is a procurement reality now shaping budgets, contracts, and strategy across the Pentagon.
For companies operating in the drone, AI, and autonomous systems space—whether U.S.-based or headquartered in a trusted allied country—this represents a rare window of opportunity. But success is not automatic. It depends on regulatory readiness, Washington presence, and the ability to align with rapidly shifting defense priorities.
At Samuel Group Washington, D.C., we help companies navigate this terrain—translating ambition into access and positioning firms to compete and win in the world’s most sophisticated defense market.
The directive follows Executive Order 14307 and calls for three key actions:
This is not just about faster contracting—it’s about redefining who gets to contribute. The U.S. is now favoring innovation over incumbency, tactical relevance over perfection, and speed over bureaucracy.
For U.S. companies, especially those historically excluded from traditional defense channels, the timing has never been better. At Samuel Group DC, we’re advising several U.S.-based firms—from drone hardware startups to AI-enabled ISR platform developers—on how to take advantage of this policy change.
Trusted allied firms—from Canada, NATO member states, Japan, South Korea, and Australia—are not excluded from this new ecosystem. But access requires deliberate structuring, proactive engagement, and Washington fluency.At Samuel Group Washington, we specialize in guiding allied firms through this process. We support:
· FOCI mitigation and U.S.-compliant entity structuring
· Navigation of U.S. laws and controls (ITAR, CFIUS, NDAA Section 889)
· Positioning with U.S. stakeholders, including Pentagon acquisition leaders, prime contractors, and congressional decision-makers
· Bilateral alignment, especially for Canadian firms working across both Ottawa and Washington
Whether you’re an American startup or a trusted foreign supplier, the keys to success in this new environment are the same:
Tactical Relevance
The Pentagon is prioritizing systems that can be deployed, adapted, and scaled today—not concepts for 2030. Systems must be modular, autonomous, and survivable.
Regulatory Readiness
From cybersecurity to export controls, regulatory compliance is now a competitive advantage. Samuel Group helps firms prepare structures that unlock—not delay—opportunities.
Presence in D.C. is more than symbolic. It enables early engagement, policy intelligence, and relationship-building with those shaping the next generation of defense investments.
From Concept to Contract
The U.S. drone directive is triggering a defense-industrial reset. New suppliers—both domestic and allied—are now entering the space, reshaping competition and challenging legacy incumbents. But while access is expanding, the window is finite. The Department of Defense is moving quickly, and firms that are not already engaged risk missing this cycle of opportunity.
At Samuel Group, we work with defense, aerospace, and dual-use technology companies to accelerate their U.S. market positioning. We combine regulatory expertise, deep policy insight, and operational relationships to help our clients not just enter the market—but compete and scale within it.
We are defense advisory and government affairs and strategic firm that supports U.S. and allied defense companies navigating the U.S. national security ecosystem.
Forging Our Future Together: The New Era of U.S.-Japan Relations.
GX, DX, and AI innovation at Deloitte Tohmatsu Innovation Park
USJC (U.S. - Japan Council) annual conference in Tokyo
