In fact, Emp Austin emphasized the need to support the new Tech Cross in the Valley of Death.
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Sime Valley, California – The Department of Defense is “doubling down” in its efforts to bring small businesses and other innovators into the military, Defense Minister Lloyd Austin III said on December 4 at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simie Valley, California.
“Developing new technologies from small businesses and other organizations will be key to staying ahead of China in strategic competition in India-Pacific region and elsewhere,” Austin said at Davos’ Defense World ”
The conference brings together Pentagon leaders, defense industry Titans, and executives of Silicon Valley and other commercial technologies to address the most pressing national security issues.
“Innovation is at the center of American security,” he said. Currently, there are significant advances in AI and edge computing and nanotechnology in the United States. And most of it here in California. No one is more creative than the United States of America. But we cannot take this for granted.
He said the Ministry of Defense should make it easier to work with the department and get funding.
Let’s face it – for a long time, it was very difficult for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs to work for the department and there were barriers to entry. [are] It’s often very steep – very steep, ”Austin said.
He added that it would take a long time for new technologies to be handed over to the military.
“Suppose some great California beginners come up with a great way to consolidate our potential. In many cases, that company will have to struggle to get the idea up for adoption by the department from start to finish. We call this syndrome Valley of Death. And I know many of you in this room know it in a painful way. ”
The Pentagon is taking steps to address the issue.
That would include “doubling down” on the small business innovation research program, Austin said. The SBIR program provides funding to small companies to conduct research and development projects on technology in accordance with the department’s specific technology requirements.
So far this year, the department has provided financial support to more than 2,500 small businesses operating on the ground.
The department has also opened new defense innovation unit offices in Chicago, Seattle, to bridge the gap between the Pentagon and the Business Technology Center. DIU mentioned that it has other stations in Silicon Valley, Austin and Boston.
He said the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working closely with the business community.
“DARPA is a myth for scientific discoveries. But now DARPA is connecting its top research teams. To build successful businesses with the best technologies developed by the teams with corporate leaders and American investors, ”he said.
The Pentagon has also set up a new rapid defense test base for Heidi Sheu, Deputy Secretary of Defense and Engineering Defense. “The new initiative will allow us to quickly see if promising technologies and prototypes can help our fighters,” Austin said. It helps the military identify the most pressing skill gaps and provide potential funding for “game-changers” to test new technologies.
For these initiatives, Austin said, “The goal here is simple. Meet new talent that will help us compete and win.”
Topics: Ministry of Defense
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