The Protection Division enjoys a technological benefit over potential adversaries, stated Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of protection for analysis and engineering, who spoke yesterday at a McAleese-sponsored occasion in Washington, D.C.
Nonetheless, the wide range of economic product that could possibly be utilized by China and different adversaries for army functions, mixed with a lax sense of urgency within the U.S., might problem DOD’s supremacy sooner or later, she stated.
R&E, working intently with the joint employees and providers, seems on the most important capabilities wanted to combat in a high-end struggle, she stated.
Additionally, R&E seems to business to see if there are industrial functions that DOD can make the most of, she stated.
“We’re specializing in issues like resilience, communication, joint command and management,” she stated. Modeling and simulation inform these efforts and speeds issues alongside.
Collaboration on this endeavor with allies and companions, in addition to non-traditional corporations can also be necessary, she added.
“Actually, an enormous chunk of my time is targeted on worldwide engagement, what we are able to do to assist one another … to co-develop functionality or speed up supply of techniques,” she stated.
The division is collaborating throughout innovation facilities corresponding to AFWERX, which is a part of the Air Pressure Analysis Laboratory; NavalX, which delivers options to the Navy and Marine Corps; and SOFWERX, an innovation manufacturing facility of U.S. Particular Operations Command, together with others.
Regional laboratories, she stated, are centered on things like microelectronics, space-adaptive communications and laser communications.
Rising the science and expertise workforce is one other precedence, she stated. The division is funding science, expertise, engineering and math scholarships from the four-year to PhD ranges, with a stipulation to serve as soon as the diploma is bestowed.
Applications for highschool STEM camps are additionally in place, she added, with tens of 1000’s of scholars enrolled.