Commercialization Is Good for BMDO
and Its Sponsors

MDO technology development is obviously intended for defense needs. In some cases, however, this technology must wait for an opportune time to be inserted into BMDO systems. BMDO has found that a route through commercial applications for this “technology-in-wait-ing” can be very beneficial for both BMDO and its sponsors—the Nation and its taxpayers.

Small businesses play a major role in developing and commercializing BMDO technology innovations. When these businesses find new opportunities for their innovations outside of BMDO, they grow significantly, creating new jobs and new industries across the country. They also create new products that provide substantial economic and social benefits. Here are just a few examples:

• New drugs and medical therapies are providing hope for the sick and a healthier life for all.

• New computer and networking products are boosting worker efficiencies and productivity levels.

• And new manufacturing systems are increasing our Nation’s economic competitiveness worldwide.

The following pages of this publication highlight 18 examples in which BMDO technology has spun off into commercial markets and is working for you now. Commercialization helps BMDO when its technology is further improved by the developers.

By reducing the cost or improving the performance of a BMDO technology, a developer hopes to win new customers in the private sector. For example, it may come up with a new technique to significantly lower the manufacturing cost of an infrared sensor. Now, the sensor is more affordable for industrial customers to use in emissions monitoring systems and for BMDO to use in missile seeker heads.

See the BMDO Applications page of this publication for three examples in which BMDO technology has already spun off into commercial markets and then back into BMDO systems.