The House Armed Services Committee is spearheading efforts to expedite the adoption of new technologies by the Department of Defense (DoD). Led by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), the committee is working on proposals as part of this year&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8217;s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to reduce the time it takes for the DoD to leverage new technologies and promote the use of commercial innovations.
Rep. Gallagher has expressed frustration with the slow process of deploying new military equipment, often years after the need for it has been identified. To address this issue, the subcommittee he chairs on innovation policy has advanced draft proposals to track the balance between long-term and short-term research and development (R&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-038;D), as well as reform the position of under secretary of defense for research and engineering to focus more on leveraging commercial technologies.
While these proposals may seem modest, they reflect a larger agenda and set the stage for stronger measures in the future. The committee is concerned about the balance of the DoD&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8217;s portfolio, especially in light of the unpredictability of when and where military capabilities and technology will be needed. The aim is to ensure that the DoD can field capabilities more urgently than before.
Rep. Gallagher has also emphasized the need for greater engagement with the commercial sector and expanding the adoption of commercial technologies by the DoD. He believes that dual-use technologies offer solutions that can be deployed within one or two years. To support this goal, the subcommittee&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8217;s proposal suggests renaming the under secretary of defense for research and engineering to the under secretary of defense for &https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8220;technology integration and innovation&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8221; and embedding access to commercially developed technologies as one of its primary responsibilities.
The proposal also highlights the importance of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as a model for technology adoption. DIU has the authority to identify and contract for commercial technologies that address pressing military problems. The subcommittee&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8217;s draft provision requires DIU to report directly to the secretary of defense and ensures that it has an appropriately sized staff to carry out its mission effectively.
Additional provisions related to technology transition will be added to the House draft of the NDAA during the full committee meeting. These provisions include appointing principal transition advisers in each military service department, designating entrepreneurial innovation projects for immediate transition into the DoD&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8217;s technology maturation process, and creating pilot programs granting special authorities for funding technology transition projects.
All of these efforts lay the groundwork for a larger debate on technology transition next year, when a congressionally created commission will recommend changes to the DoD&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8217;s long-standing Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution framework. Reforms to this framework could fundamentally change how the DoD manages its technology portfolio.
Overall, the House Armed Services Committee&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8217;s proposals aim to streamline the adoption of new technologies by the DoD and focus on near-term capabilities. By leveraging commercial innovations and reducing the time it takes to deploy new equipment, the committee hopes to enhance the military&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPTFEcGVyQ1ljT293QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0c4ck5uWkliMkl3UVc1eWVUZ3ZVME5PWlVkb1FUMDk-8217;s readiness and effectiveness in addressing emerging threats.
