Unmanned tanks, planes, battleships, and more: Former Air Force secretary dives into the future of war

Published July 7, 2026 8:13am ET



America’s long-standing military dominance is being threatened amid the autonomous evolution, and without significant transformation, the United States could be left behind, according to former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

Kendall, who served as the secretary of the Air Force during the Biden administration and as the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics under President Barack Obama, outlined his concerns and what he believes is the appropriate pathway forward in his new book, Lethal Autonomy: The Future of Warfare Whether We Like It Or Not, which was released on Tuesday.

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