Pentagon Allocates $10.8 Billion for 25 Classified Weapons Under SHOTCALLER Program
25 hidden projects under SHOTCALLER aim to boost U.S. military power against China, while debate grows over shifting defense priorities
USA, PUREWILAYAH.COM - The Pentagon has announced plans to pour more than $10.8 billion into 25 classified weapons projects under a secretive initiative called SHOTCALLER.
The program is part of Washington’s broader strategy to strengthen its military edge in the Pacific, especially in anticipation of rising tensions with China.
What Is SHOTCALLER?
SHOTCALLER is overseen by the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), a unit designed to fast-track innovation by bypassing the slow and complex weapons procurement system.
Instead of spending years in development, the program pushes prototypes into testing across multiple branches of the U.S. military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and even the Space Force.
According to Pentagon documents, the program focuses on building a “kill chain” — a connected system that combines long-range missiles, satellite tracking of moving targets, and joint service operations. The idea is to ensure the U.S. military can strike quickly and decisively in any future conflict.
Billions Already Spent, More on the Way
Budget records show that $9.6 billion has already been spent in previous years, with an additional $1.16 billion earmarked in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Advanced Innovative Technologies (AIT) program, the core of SHOTCALLER. This money is funding the development of 25 experimental weapons.
The projects carry mysterious code names like Asgard, Bedlam, Black Marlin, Epic, Lazarus, Oculus Prime, Pele, and Rolling Dice. Some, such as Hurt Locker, Pele, and HGWS, have already received hundreds of millions in earlier funding. Others, including Lazarus and Oculus Prime, appear to be gaining momentum with the latest budget.
Preparing for Future Conflict
Officials argue the program is needed to fix weaknesses revealed in past war games, where U.S. forces struggled against simulated Chinese military strategies.
The SHOTCALLER projects are meant to make sure America has the tools to respond if conflict breaks out in the Indo-Pacific.
Domestic vs. Global Priorities
However, debate inside Washington suggests U.S. defense priorities may be shifting. A leaked draft of the National Defense Strategy, reported by Politico, indicates a move to focus more on domestic threats over China and Russia.
The US-based media outlet claimed that such a paper marks a significant departure from the stance adopted by previous administrations, including Trump's first administration.
“This is going to be a major shift for the US and its allies on multiple continents,” one source familiar with the plan told Politico. “The old, trusted US promises are being questioned.”
Although not finalized, the new strategy towards protection against domestic threats can be seen via Trump's push to deploy thousands of National Guard personnel in major cities like Washington and Chicago under the guise of combating crime. (PW)