Why the US military needs an “innovation intervention”
A training exercise with Andros F6A robots at Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE. (Photo: USAF)
Several issues in the Pentagon’s structure and the defence industrial base have been hampering the country’s efforts to produce cutting-edge solutions.
The proliferation of multi-domain threats and China’s fast technological advancement in the military realm have been putting in doubt the US’ capacity to innovate. Bureaucracy, budget, infrastructure, integration across the services and reduced number of suppliers are among the issues preventing the Pentagon from rapidly developing and fielding new advanced technologies.
US lawmakers have expressed concern about the country’s ability to progress with strategic R&D and procurement efforts. The House Appropriations Defence Subcommittee Chairman, Republican representative (California) Ken Calvert claimed during the consideration of the DoD FY2025 budget on 27 June that the US military must achieve “an
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