Seizing a Critical Opportunity As we embark on the 119th Congress alongside a new presidential administration, we must recognize the narrow window of opportunity available to enhance technology development within the Department of Defense (DoD). This momentum is crucial for providing the United States with a decisive advantage to tackle increasing security challenges in the twenty-first century. In my role as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Cyber, IT, and Innovation, I urge us to act swiftly and decisively to equip our military for future success.
Moving Beyond Buzzwords It is essential for Congress, the executive branch, and industry stakeholders to move past the rhetoric of “innovation.” We must transition from superficial discussions and “innovation theater” to concrete actions that yield real warfighting capabilities. Our focus should be on establishing clear paths and streamlined resources to address these needs swiftly, aligning with the speed of battle and advances in technology. The time for merely identifying problems has ended; it is crucial that we move forward with procurement and production.
Setting Clear Objectives My 30 years of military experience have taught me that success in complex tasks starts with a precise vision of the desired outcome. Without clear objectives, effective results are unattainable. I implore the new leadership at the DoD to swiftly identify and communicate the primary operational challenges facing our armed forces. From these challenges, we must derive the priority capabilities and technologies essential for deterring and defeating adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran.
Establishing Prioritized Demand Signals To achieve meaningful results, Congress requires a clear and prioritized demand signal in critical areas, including biotechnology, quantum technologies, directed energy, nuclear command and control, and missile defense. With these operational needs defined, Congress can collaborate effectively to authorize and fund necessary actions. If research and development efforts are redundant or misaligned with the challenges of great power competition, the DoD must reconsider how taxpayer funds are being utilized, emphasizing prioritization and focus.
Collaborating with Industry and Academia Once we set our strategic direction, the DoD needs to establish effective partnerships with industry and academia to accelerate the development and implementation of vital technologies while reducing costs to taxpayers. If the private sector is already investing in key technologies, it is imperative for the department to direct its resources elsewhere to avoid duplication, maximizing the potential of both governmental and commercial investments.
Leveraging Commercial R&D Investments While custom DoD research and development will always play a vital role—particularly for specialized military challenges lacking commercial solutions—the landscape has shifted. Commercial investment in research and development now far surpasses government expenditure. The DoD must harness this investment as a strategic national asset, ensuring that taxpayer dollars support essential military R&D while complementing industry-driven investments.
Breaking the Cycle of Inefficiency Historically, both the DoD and Congress have fallen into a pattern of repeatedly creating strategies and roadmaps for critical technology areas, yet the tangible outcomes often fall short. The United States cannot afford lengthy discussions filled with strategies, pilot programs, and technology demonstrations that yield little in terms of actual capabilities deployed to warfighters. This cycle of inefficiency must come to an end.
A Call for Action At this critical juncture, we need well-defined operational challenges to address, explicit capabilities to meet these challenges, seamless funding and contracting processes, and a culture willing to adapt quickly, embrace risk, and deliver effective solutions.
Conclusion In conclusion, the path to achieving a technologically advanced and capable military lies in clear objectives, decisive action, and robust collaboration between government, industry, and academia. Together, we can ensure that the United States remains secure and prepared for the evolving landscape of global challenges.
Don Bacon is a U.S. Representative for Nebraska’s 2nd District and Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation. He is a retired Brigadier General with nearly 30 years of service in the United States Air Force.