Biotech boosters win big in both HASC, SASC defense policy bills for FY26
Both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees voted to streamline Pentagon procurement of biologically-derived materials, from first aid treatments to novel explosives.
Congressional biotech commission calls for $15B over 5 years to catch up to China
Over $1 billion would pass through the Pentagon, researching shelf-stable blood for casualties, new lubricants for engines, more powerful explosives, and more. Commission Chairman Sen. Todd Young hopes to get the first funds in the 2026 NDAA.
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Meeting modern airpower needs with faster R&D cycles for propulsion
As aircraft shrink, threats expand, and technology accelerates, aircraft engines must iterate along with the threats.
Promising biotech startups ‘dying on the vine’: In-Q-Tel
While billions pour into pharmaceutical biotech, officials and experts warn there’s much less private investment in products more relevant to the military, like body armor materials, anti-corrosion coatings, and explosives.
Pentagon CTO eyes increased experiments with Australia in rapid tech push
Although slim on details, Heidi Shyu told reporters today that DoD will conduct a Technology Readiness Experimentation event sometime this year with its Australian counterparts and will conduct a new sprint of RDER with them next year.
Pentagon seeks to jumpstart ‘nascent’ biomanufacturing industry with new strategy
DoD’s new Biomanufacturing Strategy and an accompanying RFI from industry both aim to help companies using biological processes to make potentially revolutionary materials — and to keep them from moving offshore like semiconductors.
Pentagon to pour $1.2 billion into ‘critical’ biomanufacturing industry
A month after a think tank said US was losing race to China, DoD hopes the tech will help fix a number of problems, including avoiding supply chain woes.
Modern Tech in Indo-Pacific Operations
Explore how networked warfare, AI, and 3D-printed drones are reshaping US Indo-Pacific strategy.
US at ‘relative disadvantage’ in biotech compared to China, report finds
“A successful U.S. biotechnology strategy will not be about biotechnology on its own; it will connect growth in the biotech industry to broader U.S. strategic objectives [...],” according to a new CNAS report.
SOCOM To Test Anti-Aging Pill Next Year
“These efforts are not about creating physical traits that don't already exist naturally. This is about enhancing the mission readiness of our forces by improving performance characteristics that typically decline with age," Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, SOCOM spokesperson, said.
HASC Emerging Threats Bolsters JAIC: NDAA 2021 Markup
"Our ability to apply AI and other emerging technologies faster than our adversaries will allow us to maintain our competitive edge over Russia and China," Rep. Elise Stefanik, ranking of the HASC emerging threats subcommittee, said.
Roper Eyes Biotech, New Materials Funding; NGAD Gets PEO
The Air Force is creating a new PEO for "Fighters and Advanced Aircraft" this summer, combining NGAD with the Digital Century Series program, says acquisition czar Will Roper.
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Beacon brings industry into a shared ecosystem to accelerate flight autonomy
Six companies have already signed up for a new flight-test program to mature their autonomy software.
COVID-19: Biotech Innovators Pitch Army Rapid Test Kits & More
The Army launched its Shark Tank-style xTechSearch before coronavirus hit, but several of the small firms competing for $1.2 million in prizes are working on ways to help.
DoD Stands Up New Biotech Manufacturing Center: Griffin
This "key new initiative," Griffin stressed, could lead to DoD being able to such breakthroughs as creating its own fuel.
DoD On Biotech: Build Sound Defenses First
Instead of augmenting super-soldiers, DARPA wants to boost troops' natural defenses against engineered diseases -- and even undo gene-editing altogether.
Biotech: Can Microscopic Sentries Protect US Troops?
From repelling bugs to protecting divers in dangerous waters, scientists are pushing the boundaries of biotech.