What Does SOUTHCOM's New Autonomous Warfare Command Herald?

What Does SOUTHCOM's New Autonomous Warfare Command Herald?

From War on the Rocks by Ryan Evans

May 12, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

Gen. Frank Donovan discusses the implications of SOUTHCOM's new Autonomous Warfare Command for military operations in the Western Hemisphere.

Gen. Frank Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, sat down with Ryan to discuss the vision behind the command's new Autonomous Warfare Command and what it signals for the future of military operations in the Western Hemisphere. Donovan explains how SOUTHCOM aims to move drones and autonomous systems beyond tactical experimentation and connect them to strategic effect: disrupting cartel networks designated as terrorist organizations, strengthening cooperation with allies and partners, and giving the command new ways to see, decide, and act across a complex region. This episode was brought to you by NODA. Find out more about our friends at NODA at warontherocks.com/noda

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Evans

Guest: Gen. Frank Donovan

Topics covered

  • autonomous warfare
  • military operations
  • SOUTHCOM
  • drones
  • strategic effect
  • cartel disruption

Keywords

  • SOUTHCOM
  • autonomous systems
  • military strategy
  • drones
  • cartel networks
  • Western Hemisphere

Sponsors

NODA

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. Southern Command, cartel networks

Places: Western Hemisphere

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