Overview of U.S. DoD critical technology areas

Trusted AI with trusted autonomous systems is imperative to dominate future conflicts. As AI, machine learning, and autonomous operations mature, the DoD will focus on evidence-based AI assurance and enabling operational effectiveness.

AI subtopics of interest to the DoD include machine learning; deep learning; reinforcement learning; sensory perception and recognition; next-generation AI planning, reasoning, and decision making; and safe and secure AI. DoD is also interested in autonomous systems and robotics for surface, air, maritime and space applications.

The DoD recently announced the creation of a new entity to oversee the development and integration of artificial intelligence capabilities within U.S. national security systems. The AI Security Center will focus on developing best practices, evaluation methodology and risk frameworks to promote the secure adoption of new AI capabilities across the national security enterprise and the defence industrial base.   

The Defense Department also recently released its strategy to accelerate the adoption of AI capabilities to support U.S. warfighters. The Pentagon’s 2023 Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy  prescribes an agile approach to AI development and application. It emphasizes speed of delivery and adoption at scale, leading to five specific decision advantage outcomes – superior battlespace awareness and understanding; adaptive force planning and application; fast, precise and resilient kill chains; resilient sustainment support and efficient enterprise business operations.

Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems technology encompasses the capability to communicate, provide real-time dissemination of information across the Department, and effective command and control in a contested electromagnetic environment.

Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems capability must enable engagements by any sensor and shooter, with the ability to integrate disparate systems. An interoperable network that leverages emerging capabilities across the electromagnetic spectrum, such as 5G, software-defined networking and radios, and modern information exchange techniques, will allow the Department to integrate many diverse mission systems better and provide fully networked command, control, and communication that is capable, resilient, and secure.

Virtually every military and commercial system relies on microelectronics. Working closely with industry, academia, and Government, the Department leverages state-of-the-art commercial development and production for defence microelectronic solutions.

Subtopics of interest in semiconductors and microelectronics include design and electronic design automation tools; manufacturing process technologies and manufacturing equipment; beyond complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology; heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging; specialized/tailored hardware components for artificial intelligence, natural and hostile radiation environments, RF and optical components, high-power devices, and other critical applications; novel materials for advanced microelectronics; and wide-bandgap and ultra-wide-bandgap technologies for power management, distribution, and transmission.

For FY2024, the DoD budget request includes about $145 billion for research, development, testing and engineering. That request is 12% higher than in FY2023 and represents department history’s most significant request. According to Heidi Shyu, DoD’s undersecretary for research and engineering, microelectronics gets about $1.7 billion in funding. In comparison, integrated sensing and cyber gets about $1.2 billion, and integrated network systems-of-systems get about $763 million.

The Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) delivers microelectronics solutions to meet the needs of the Department of Defense (DoD) and includes four programs:

• Trusted Access Program – ensuring access to cutting-edge microelectronics and accrediting trusted suppliers
• Advanced Technology Support Program – accelerating microelectronics acquisition and providing technical oversight
• Organic Engineering – providing flexible, full-spectrum microelectronics solutions
• Radiation Testing – delivering secure, cost-effective radiation qualification testing and research

The NSA provides several microelectronic resources including guidance on assurance processes and best practices. DARPA, along with companies from the semiconductor and defense industries have initiated the Joint University Microelectronics Program (JUMP) with six research centers for high-risk, high-payoff research in microelectronic technologies. You can find information about upcoming events and programs through the DARPA website.

Space technologies include space flight, space communication and other technologies needed to maintain space operations. Novel space technologies are necessary to enable resilient cross-domain operations and

subfields of interest include on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing; commoditized satellite buses; low-cost launch vehicles; sensors for local and wide-field imaging; space propulsion; resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT); cryogenic fluid management; and entry, descent, and landing.

According to the Space Policy Review and Strategy on Protection of Satellites (Sep 2023), the DoD FY 2024 budget request has the most significant space budget ever – $33.3 billion, a nearly 13 percent increase from the previous year. It requests funds for three areas – to assure critical space-based missions, strengthen the ability to detect and attribute hostile acts in, from, and to space, and protect from adversary hostile uses of space.

The U.S. DoD is also looking to enhance the ability to preserve access to space and ensure it can continue to provide critical space-based services to the Joint Forces in crisis and conflict. FY2024 budget includes requests to advance and expand the architectures of space-based sensors that provide indications and warning of threats to space systems; funding for ground and space-based sensors, deep space radar, and ground-based optical systems; and to produce highly accurate, rapidly available detection, tracking, and characterization of space objects, regardless of their origin.

The Space Development Agency (SDA) is a good source of information and opportunities for space-related technologies. Another department to check out is the U.S. Space Command which works with allies and partners, and plans, executes, and integrates military space power.

Renewable energy generation and storage includes solar wind, bio-based and geothermal technologies, advanced energy storage, electronic engines, and power grid integration and promises to decrease warfighter vulnerability and deliver new operational capabilities. Subfields of interest to the U.S. DoD include renewable and sustainable fuels, energy storage, electric and hybrid engines, batteries, grid integration, and energy-efficiency technologies.

In terms of budget allocation, according to the U.S. DoD’s Enhancing Combat Capability – Mitigating Climate Risk (March 2023), FY 2024 budget requests include:

• $3.66 billion for Installation Resilience and Adaptation – (1) adapting military facilities to withstand increasingly challenging conditions and deploying advanced technologies to strengthen the ability to recover from disruptions to public infrastructure rapidly; (2) improving installation energy, mission resilience, and water resilience; and (3) modernizing Department operations to keep pace with industry.
• $106 million for Operational Energy – gaining capability and reducing logistics supply requirements using digital flight planning tools, programs to optimize turbine engine compressor performance, and aircraft drag reduction technologies.
• $1.32 billion for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) – (1) accelerate the development of hybrid tactical vehicles, (2) prototyping of new platforms like blended wing body aircraft that have the potential to increase range and payload; (3) advanced energy storage and energy management systems.
• $54 million for Contingency Preparedness – (1) incorporate climate risks into wargames, exercises, and other planning tools; (2) work with allies and partners, support for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) activities.

The Department of Defense Operational Energy Strategy (May 2023) provides details about commercial technologies and trends that the U.S. DoD is eyeing to reduce energy demand, introduce energy substitution and diversification, enhance supply chain resilience, and enhance enterprise-wide visibility of energy supply and demand.

Advanced computing has surpassed traditional computing in processing power, speed, and versatility. With the explosion of big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, advanced computing and software have become critical technology areas. Subfields of interest to the U.S. DoD include supercomputing, edge computing, cloud computing, data storage, computing architectures, and data processing and analysis techniques.  

Advanced computing offices and programs with the DoD that may be of interest include:

• High-Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) provides the supercomputing capabilities, high-speed network communications and computational science expertise that enable DoD scientists and engineers to conduct a wide range of focused research and development, test and evaluation, and acquisition engineering activities.
• C4I COIs (Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Intelligence Community of Interest) establish priorities and guidance, monitor current and planned investments in science and technology (S&T) including but not limited to Networks, Command & Control (C2), and Data to Decision efforts. The CoIs will identify gaps, establish and maintain a set of S&T roadmaps to guide DoD research program investments, perform portfolio assessments, and provide future resource recommendations to leadership.
• The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office (STO) develops and delivers solutions at a speed and scale to be operationally relevant, moving from the project initiation to proof of concept in just a few years. It leverages advancements in technologies such as advanced microelectronics, increased computing capacity, and applied machine learning/artificial intelligence to pursue solutions in advanced active and passive sensing, battlefield effects, command, control and communications, systems of autonomous systems, and empowered human decision-making.

Human-machine interfaces (HMI) enable seamless communication between people and technology. From improving accessibility for people with disabilities to creating new modes of interaction with machines, the future of human-machine interfaces will likely focus on more intuitive and adaptive interfaces that allow for more natural and responsive interaction. Subfields of interest to the DoD include augmented reality, virtual reality, brain-computer interfaces and human-machine teaming.

Offices and programs with the DoD that may be of interest include the Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L) Center which is responsible for all USSOCOM (United States Special Operations Command) research, development, acquisition, procurement, and logistics. It works closely with government, academia, and industry to meet its mission to provide warfighters with rapid and focused acquisition, technology, and logistics support.

Aother office to consider is the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOTE) which is focused test and evaluation infrastructure, tools, methods and processes, and skillsets. It is also watching science and technology development to see what kinds of systems to test in the future to prepare the DoD T&E ecosystem.