In this month’s article, John Denslinger explains how the DoD is championing AI, QIS, 5G and nuclear to sustain military edge through commercial integration and strategic alliances.
In the post WW II era, the Department of Defense (DoD) was considered the foremost developer of foundational innovation ultimately commercialized by non-military enterprises. DoD’s influence gradually declined and by the end of the 20th century major tech companies shifted attention to the consumer market.
To keep pace with innovation cycles, the DoD shifted as well, buying commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies. However, that would not be enough. By the early 2000s, private sector investment in commercial technology outpaced the DoD’s budget and approval process virtually ending DoD’s internal innovation.
In response, the DoD initiated a partnership approach via the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) linking the DoD with start-ups and non-traditional suppliers, offering flexible contracts, rapid prototyping and accelerated technology adoption. The partnership has generated pathways to emerging technology, but adoption success hovers at just 40 per cent according to a 2024 review by Atlantic Council.
Another statistic really typifies the innovation and influence shift. According to GAO reports, the DoD accounted for more than 75 per cent of US semiconductor purchases in 1965. By 2012 that dropped to two per cent and by 2016, the DoD accounted for less than one per cent. The trend was clear: all future innovation would be dependent on commercial technology integration.
In February 2022, the DoD published a list of 14 critical technology areas vital to maintaining military advantage and national security. Of the 14, the current administration re-emphasized a core sub-set of four technologies aligning policy priorities, private capital and domestic scalability.
Top of the DoD’s priority list is AI which stands out as the most frequently emphasized strategic enabler for modernizing defense capabilities. AI is viewed as a critical tool for real-time situational awareness and faster, more accurate decision-making in battlefield conditions. It offers operational efficiency through predictive analytics and intelligence analysis key to automating logistics and supply chain operations. AI is also foundational to integration with other technologies such as autonomous systems, cyber defense and data-centric communications supporting sophisticated technologies like sensors, robotics, drones and satellites.
Next is Quantum information sciences. QIS is important because it builds on AI capabilities. For example, quantum inertial sensing, plus quantum computing, is viewed as a potential GPS alternative. Coupling these next-gen technologies assures America’s strategic edge in contested environments providing instantaneous situational awareness and navigational optimization on land or sea.
A clear illustration of commercial technology embraced by DoD is 5G. Within the military secure spectrum, 5G developments vastly improve decisive communications traversing a myriad of AI applications, as well as the entire cybersecurity infrastructure.
Finally, modernize nuclear capabilities. While one instinctively thinks ballistic deterrents, dedicated resources also explore nuclear powered solutions for military installations and mobile energy generation sources for remote operations and engagements.
Although the administration openly endorses a ‘top four’ priority, investments in cybersecurity, IT transformation, autonomous systems, robotics and advanced biotech continue at the same time. Technology is vital to defense and the electronics industry leads in creating that technology. Defense 101.