Panel: Winning future wars depends on military’s ability to quickly adopt new technologies.

Revolutionizing Defense with Emerging Technologies

Introduction

The potential of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to transform the defense industry has been a hot topic of discussion in recent Congressional hearings. However, the Pentagon’s slow and cumbersome procurement process poses a significant challenge to the timely implementation of new systems and programs. To address this issue, the Department of Defense established the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in 2015 to facilitate the integration of commercial technologies into military operations.

The DIU’s Evolution

Initially launched as an experimental program, the DIU was reorganized under then-Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in 2016 and elevated to “secretary-level” importance. Carter’s foresight in establishing the DIU and nurturing it from incubation to maturity was praised by panelists at a recent “Innovation in Defense Research and Acquisition” presentation organized by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Current Developments

Despite being downgraded during the Trump administration, the DIU has regained its status as a direct report to the Secretary of Defense under Lloyd Austin. In April, Austin appointed Doug Beck, an Apple vice president and naval reserve captain, as DIU director. Beck and other panelists at the presentation emphasized the need to scale up the DIU to achieve speed and scale in delivering new technologies to the military.

Conclusion

The DIU has already successfully bridged the gap between the military and technology developers, rapidly prototyping solutions to real military problems. However, there is still a long way to go in revolutionizing defense with emerging technologies. By continuing to scale up the DIU, the defense industry can keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology and stay ahead of potential adversaries.