Rep. Bacon: Enough talking about defense innovation. It’s time to make choices and move out.

Rep. Bacon: Enough talking about defense innovation. It’s time to make choices and move out.
Rep. Bacon: Enough talking about defense innovation. It’s time to make choices and move out.

In an exclusive op-ed, Rep. Don Bacon says Congress, industry and the executive branch need to stop hiding behind the word “innovation” and start actually producing systems.

Political leaders need to stop standing in the way of defense innovation

Political leaders need to stop standing in the way of defense innovation
Political leaders need to stop standing in the way of defense innovation

“Standing in the way [of innovation] are three roadblocks, none of which are technological, and all of which the next President and Congress should consider challenging,” writes John Ferrari of AEI.

Mullen: Defense Department incentives need to change if the Mavericks are to survive

Mullen: Defense Department incentives need to change if the Mavericks are to survive
Mullen: Defense Department incentives need to change if the Mavericks are to survive

In this op-ed, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and current DIB board member Mike Mullen explains steps the DoD can take to foster an environment that incentivizes innovation.

Differentiating innovation: From performance art to production scale

Differentiating innovation: From performance art to production scale
Differentiating innovation: From performance art to production scale

In this op-ed, Andrew Metrick of CNAS explains why the DoD needs to get on the same page about innovation.

US defense modernization gets a ‘D’ grade in new report as tech roadblocks persist

US defense modernization gets a ‘D’ grade in new report as tech roadblocks persist
US defense modernization gets a ‘D’ grade in new report as tech roadblocks persist

“We’re still looking for the ability to translate and transition those innovation priorities into capabilities, into programs of record, into budget priorities,” said Rachel Hoff, Reagan Institute’s policy director and one of the authors of a new scorecard evaluating progress in defense innovation.

While DoD progresses on innovative tech, more work left to be done: Report

While DoD progresses on innovative tech, more work left to be done: Report
While DoD progresses on innovative tech, more work left to be done: Report

The Atlantic Council’s Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption acknowledged in a new report that there were “broader, strategic matters” that “will take time to reach full implementation.”

Army acquisition chief: As industry innovation races ahead, service struggles with resources, training

Army acquisition chief: As industry innovation races ahead, service struggles with resources, training
Army acquisition chief: As industry innovation races ahead, service struggles with resources, training

“You can have a terrific piece of gear, but if it’s very difficult to train, it’s just not going to be as effective or if it’s too expensive to train on, it’s not going to be as affordable for the Army to do at scale and everything the Army does is at vast scale,” Doug Bush said.

INDOPACOM stands up new directorate to better connect industry, DoD innovation efforts

INDOPACOM stands up new directorate to better connect industry, DoD innovation efforts
INDOPACOM stands up new directorate to better connect industry, DoD innovation efforts

“So we think we can actually help make it easier for you to be able to get after the key programs that the warfighter needs,” Adm. John Acquilino said.

How to leverage America’s software advantage in the decisive decade

How to leverage America’s software advantage in the decisive decade
How to leverage America’s software advantage in the decisive decade

Michèle A. Flournoy and Wendy R. Anderson lay out their vision for how the Pentagon can speed software acquisition in this new op-ed.

US gets an ‘F’ for erratic, unfocused funding of defense innovation, says Reagan Foundation

US gets an ‘F’ for erratic, unfocused funding of defense innovation, says Reagan Foundation
US gets an ‘F’ for erratic, unfocused funding of defense innovation, says Reagan Foundation

A ponderous budget process, overspending on old tech, and chronically late appropriations hamstring the Pentagon’s ability to tap into private-sector innovation, according to the foundation’s new scorecard.

Thornberry: 4 points to understand in order to meet America’s global challenges

Thornberry: 4 points to understand in order to meet America’s global challenges
Thornberry: 4 points to understand in order to meet America’s global challenges

The “American spirit of adaptability that has played such a central role in our past success is even more necessary today if we are to remain a globally competitive country and economy,” writes former House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry.

It’s time for new incentives for defense primes to invest in startups

It’s time for new incentives for defense primes to invest in startups
It’s time for new incentives for defense primes to invest in startups

“If we are to meet the innovation goals of the NDS, we must incentivize the primes to move beyond the short-term partnership model and encourage them to form more holistic relationships with promising early-stage companies, including investment into operating businesses,” writes Chip Walter.

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Fighter radars have changed the nature of combat: <br> A look forward and back

Fighter radars have changed the nature of combat: <br> A look forward and back
Fighter radars have changed the nature of combat:
A look forward and back

On the 50th anniversary of the F-15 Eagle’s first flight and its groundbreaking APG-63 radar that helped the fighter revolutionize tactical combat, here’s a look at the state of radars and mission systems today.

‘Elevating’ hidden ideas: Inside the Army’s Dragon’s Lair invention contest

‘Elevating’ hidden ideas: Inside the Army’s Dragon’s Lair invention contest
‘Elevating’ hidden ideas: Inside the Army’s Dragon’s Lair invention contest

“Ideas are out there,” Col. Joe Buccino said, referring to the 2 million-plus people who serve in the military. “It’s just a matter of finding them.”