Unpacking DoD’s Focus Areas: NDIA Emerging Technologies Highlights

The NDIA Emerging Technologies conference in Washington, D.C. featured a wide range of congressional leaders who discussed what’s at the forefront of innovation for defense technology. This three-day event featured discussions on everything from acquisition approaches to innovative data management solutions. With representatives from offices including Test and Evaluation (T&E), Research and Engineering (R&E), Science and Technology (S&T), Air Force, and more, this conference gave an insight into the conversations that are taking priority across the entirety of the Department of Defense (DoD).

Rapid Acquisition and Technology Acceleration

In the opening session titled “Structuring Change to Last,” the Honorable Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense, U.S. DoD, addressed the critical need for rapid acquisition and prototyping systems in the DoD. Referencing the Replicator Initiative that was announced in 2023, Hicks spoke on how the initiative is enabling technology production in a fraction of the time compared to traditional government processes. By structuring these processes to run in parallel rather than one after the other, initiatives like Replicator can shave up to 8 years off of an acquisition and development process. Hicks referenced the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) as a process that was “virtually untapped” until as recently as 2020. Now, innovation can happen faster than ever with an OTA.

“Today, we stand at the dawn of a new golden age of defense innovation and production, and we have only just begun.” – Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks

The Honorable Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, gave a compelling address about accelerating capabilities through initiatives such as the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) and the Microelectronics Commons programs. The RDER initiative was stood up in 2021 by OUSD to assess critical capabilities through field experimentation and rapidly integrate them into military services. Modeled around industry engagement, RDER asks, “What are our joined warfighter capabilities, and how can we accelerate them?” In 2024, the DoD invested $300 million in capability integration through RDER. Shyu also noted Microelectronics Commons and its strides in microelectronics re-onshoring, thanks to the OTA.

Investing in Industry with the Office of Strategic Capital

In a panel featuring S&T experts from different sectors of the government, topics such as SBIR/STTR programs and technology transition were discussed in-depth. SBIR/STTR programs are congressionally authorized small business set-asides established to support scientific excellence.

The Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) was established by the DoD in 2022 to enhance the management and acceleration of emerging defense technologies. As noted by the HON Heidi Shyu, companies would come to her saying, “I need capital to move my technology from production to prototype.” Therefore, she raised OSC with the primary mission of identifying and accelerating the deployment of innovative technologies that can significantly advance U.S. military capabilities. Two years later, the OSC plays a critical role in the maturation of technologies. In his keynote speech about modernizing the defense enterprise, OSC was also noted by Dr. David A. Honey, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (DUSD(R&E). He highlighted how OSC plays a vital role in this transition, focusing on identifying and accelerating the deployment of cutting-edge technologies by progressing through increasing maturity levels before moving it to production.

Win With Data

The discussions on Science and Technology (S&T) executive perspectives featured notable insights from key defense leaders. The Honorable Aprille Ericsson, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, underscored the importance of fostering a robust S&T ecosystem and integrating non-traditional partners to meet STEM requirements. She highlighted ongoing efforts to transition Navy technologies to new applications. Moderated by Chris Manning, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, the session focused on the Army’s priorities, with Manning emphasizing that technology transition is paramount for maintaining a strategic edge in future conflicts.

Additionally, key figures from the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) highlighted significant advancements and challenges in testing autonomy and AI systems. George Rumford, the Director of TRMC, and Ryan Norman, the Chief Data Officer, discussed their innovative data solutions, CHEETAHS and SAFARI, designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of testing. Christopher Lynch, Government Lead for TRMC’s AI and Autonomy Modernization, emphasized the critical need to develop new methods for testing AI systems, noting that the current lack of understanding in how to engage with autonomous technologies poses a significant challenge. He stressed the importance of visualizing data and ensuring complete live tracking to improve testing processes, underscoring that rapid iteration is essential to keep pace with technological advancements.

“We are fundamentally transforming the technology to be much more resilient, with proliferation and diversity. We must ensure space is available for the warfighter during conflict and crisis. We must fundamentally transform our architecture to make it work for the warfighter.” – Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration.

The NDIA Emerging Technologies Conference highlighted the strides the DoD is making in technology and innovation. Over three days, leaders like the Honorable Kathleen Hicks and Heidi Shyu emphasized the need for rapid acquisition, inferring the transformative potential of the utilization of OTAs. As the defense sector moves into a new era of innovation, these conversations showcased the priorities of DoD’s top leaders. They all displayed an acute awareness of the urgent need for more agile government solutions that can respond to the future and current challenges facing U.S. security. To learn more about how OTAs can achieve this mission, click here.

About Microelectronics Commons

The Microelectronics Commons program established eight innovation Hubs in 2023 after Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security. By investing in this network of 8 regional prototyping Hubs with a focus in 6 main technical areas – 5G/6G, AI Hardware, Commercial Leap-Ahead, Electromagnetic Warfare, Secure Edge/IoT Computing and Quantum Technology – the United States is safeguarding our critical microelectronics supply chain. The Microelectronics Commons was awarded through the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS) OTA, established by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division and managed by NSTXL, which is the premier rapid OT contracting vehicle for the Department of Defense (DoD) in trusted microelectronics, strategic & spectrum mission, and other critical mission areas.

About S²MARTS

The Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS), managed by NSTXL, is the premier rapid OT contracting vehicle for the Department of Defense (DoD) in trusted microelectronics, strategic & spectrum mission, and other critical mission areas. The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division created S²MARTS to grow and engage an elite network of innovators, shorten the path to defense prototype development, and advance national security efforts.