US Special Operations leaders told a Senate subcommittee they are increasingly constrained by defense contractors’ proprietary software and hardware restrictions, which limit their ability to quickly modify and upgrade unmanned systems and other battlefield equipment. They argued that these restrictions slow innovation at the tactical edge, especially for rapidly evolving drone technologies, according to the Military Times.

Commanders from the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Special Operations forces said they often cannot “tinker” with mission systems or integrate new capabilities—such as weapons or software updates—without vendor approval. They warned that this slows adaptation compared to adversaries and even allies like Ukraine, which they say can iterate more quickly in combat.

The officials framed the issue as a military “right to repair” problem, where industry control over mission systems can hinder operational flexibility. Despite growing concern, related reform provisions were removed from the latest defense authorization bill, leaving the services still dependent on contractor-controlled upgrade pathways.