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Spotlight

Engineering in DOD

Military and civilian engineers share a unique mission within the Defense Department – to advance cutting-edge engineering technology, systems and practices in specializations that range from cyber and space to hypersonics and quantum science and more, all in support of the warfighter.

 

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Defense Department Awards $50 Million in Research Equipment Grants to HBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions

Defense Department Awards $50 Million in Research Equipment Grants to HBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions
Publication |

Full List: Defense Department Awards $50 Million in Research Equipment Grants to HBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions

Full List: Defense Department Awards $50 Million in Research Equipment Grants to HBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions
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DOD Awards $43 Million to U.S. Universities to Purchase Equipment for Defense-Related Research

DOD Awards $43 Million to U.S. Universities to Purchase Equipment for Defense-Related Research
Publication |

Full List: DoD Awards $43 Million to U.S. Universities to Purchase Equipment for Defense-Related Research

Full List: DoD Awards $43 Million to U.S. Universities to Purchase Equipment for Defense-Related Research
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DOD Awards $30 Million to Expand Domestic Printed Circuit Board, Substrate Production

DOD Awards $30 Million to Expand Domestic Printed Circuit Board, Substrate Production
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DOD Announces 2024 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards Winners

DOD Announces 2024 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards Winners
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AUKUS Defense Ministers' Meeting Communique

AUKUS Defense Ministers' Meeting Communique
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Defense Department Awards $12.9 Million to Increase Production of Active Materials for Lithium Iron Phosphate Cathodes

Defense Department Awards $12.9 Million to Increase Production of Active Materials for Lithium Iron Phosphate Cathodes

Research and Engineering Priorities

Microelectrionics icon; Microelectronics by Vectors Point from the Noun Project

Microelectronics

As the demand for inexpensive and lightweight equipment has increased, microelectronics have rapidly evolved and have been incorporated into countless DOD systems. The ability to modernize is jeopardized by foreign microelectronics production, actions and investments. We must develop and deliver next-generation microelectronic technologies to enhance lethality, ensure critical infrastructure and achieve economic competitiveness.

Hypersonics icon; Sonic boom by ochre7 from the Noun Project

Hypersonics

Hypersonic weapons travel five or more times the speed of sound. There is a focus on the tactical capability that these sorts of weapons bring to theater conflicts or regional conflicts. They provide very quick response and are high speed; highly maneuverable; and difficult to find, track and kill. DOD is modernizing its offensive and defensive force structure to both use and deter this capability.

Artificial Intelligence icon; Artificial Intelligence by ProSymbols from the Noun Project

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

The Defense Department will leverage artificial intelligence to enable U.S. forces to operate more effectively and efficiently. DOD is evaluating processes and procedures that can adopt AI technology to meet warfighter needs and defense priorities.

Biotechnology icon; vaccine by Studio GLD from the Noun Project

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is any technological application that harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes. Most current biotech research focuses on agent detection, vaccines and treatment. Future advances in biotechnology will improve the protection of both the general public and military personnel from biological agents, among numerous other potential applications.

Quantum Science icon; atom by Kelsey Armstrong from the Noun Project

Quantum Science

Quantum computers pose an impending threat to secure communications, and continued U.S. dominance in quantum information science helps mitigate the risks. National Security Agency crypto-modernization will protect the most sensitive communications against a quantum computer attack. Quantum sensing will deliver new and assured precision position, navigation and timing capabilities, keeping our forces safe in GPS-denied theaters. Quantum networks will deliver drastically enhanced sensors for finding and fixing elusive targets and will deliver resource multiplying effects for commercially developed quantum computers to solve DOD's hardest analytical problems.

Autonomy icon; freedom by Adrien Coquet from the Noun Project

Autonomy

Autonomy extends and complements human capabilities. Advantages include persistence, size, speed, maneuverability and reduced risk to human life. The Defense Department targets seamless integration of diverse unmanned- and mixed-team capabilities that provide flexible options for the joint force.

Cyber icon; cyber security by Ladalle CS from the Noun Project

Cyber

Cyber is a unique operational domain with significant security challenges and potential leap-ahead capabilities for military operations requiring enhanced command, control and situational awareness and autonomous operations. Ability to gain and maintain the U.S. technological edge in cyberspace in the face of rapid evolution is essential to maintaining mission readiness.

Directed Energy icon; laser by Shocho from the Noun Project

Directed Energy

When directed energy matures to a deployable capability, our armed forces will have the potential to defend against several types of threats with great precision and minimal collateral damage, at minimal cost per engagement. High Energy Laser, or HEL, technology development and advancements in hardware are making laser weapon systems increasingly viable.

Fully-Networked Command, Control and Communications (FNC3) icon; Communication by Arthur Dias from the Noun Project

Fully-Networked Command, Control and Communications (FNC3)

Fully Networked Command, Control and Communications technology encompasses the capability to acquire, process and disseminate information across force elements. DOD requires a clear path to robust Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence with multiple redundant, fully-networked communications. Existing capabilities require sufficient protection against an increasing threat in pervasiveness and effectiveness.

Space icon; Space by Made x Made from the Noun Project

Space

The U.S. way of war, across all domains, is dependent on timely and assured space effects. Adversary capabilities and advancements require us to move quickly to a more defendable and resilient space posture. Added protection and resiliency to our current spacecraft fleet is essential.

5G icon; control tower by ChangHoon Baek from the Noun Project

5G

5G will bring about wireless, ubiquitous connectivity across humans, machines and the Internet of Things. DOD will adapt 5G and next-generation technologies to operate through congested and contested spectrum and in spite of compromised networks to ensure maximum readiness, lethality and partnering among allies. 5G prototyping and experimentation will be conducted in collaboration with the defense industry and commercial suppliers to accelerate U.S. prominence in the 5G global ecosystem.

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The Defense Innovation Board holds its quarterly, public meeting to provide updates on aligning incentives that drive faster tech adoption and optimizing how the Defense Department innovates with allies and partners Play
Defense Innovation Board Holds Meeting
53:44
Defense Innovation Board Holds Meeting
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks announces about $240 million in awards for the establishment of up to nine “microelectronics commons” regional innovation hubs. Play
Hicks Announces Award for Innovation Hubs
29:39
Hicks Announces Award for Innovation Hubs
David A. Honey, deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, discusses the challenges of dual-use technologies. For Engineers Week, DOD’s Washington Headquarters Services, Facilities Services Directorate and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering hosted a Feb. 23 event celebrating the importance of engineering and engineers’ contributions to national defense. Play
Challenges of Dual-Use Technologies
1:12
Challenges of Dual-Use Technologies
Each year in recognition of DiscoverE's nationwide Engineers Week, the Washington Headquarters Services, Facilities Services Directorate and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD[R&E]) host an event for Department of Defense employees to celebrate the importance of engineering as a profession. This year's event will include welcome remarks from the co-sponsoring agencies and featured speaker presentations. Tune in on February 23 and learn about how engineers at the Pentagon are incorporating this year's theme, "creating the future." Play
Engineers Week 2023
1:14:51
Engineers Week 2023
David A. Honey, deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, gives an overview of the importance of engineering—past, present, and future. For Engineers Week, DOD’s Washington Headquarters Services, Facilities Services Directorate and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering hosted a Feb. 23 event celebrating the importance of engineering and engineers’ contributions to national defense. Play
Engineering: Past, Present, Future
2:04
Engineering: Past, Present, Future
David A. Honey, deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, addresses young engineers about the benefits of working with the Defense Department. For Engineers Week, DOD’s Washington Headquarters Services, Facilities Services Directorate and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering hosted a Feb. 23 event celebrating the importance of engineering and engineers’ contributions to national defense. Play
Young Engineers: Working With DOD
1:00
Young Engineers: Working With DOD
David A. Honey, deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, discusses the importance of engineering and how it benefits the Defense Department. For Engineers Week, DOD’s Washington Headquarters Services, Facilities Services Directorate and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering hosted a Feb. 23 event celebrating the importance of engineering and engineers’ contributions to national defense. Play
Engineers Week 2023 Introduction
6:37
Engineers Week 2023 Introduction
John Marx, acting principal director for cyber modernization in the office of the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, explains the importance of cyber to national security and the workforce during Engineers Week, which runs Feb. 21-27. Play
Importance of Cyber to National Security
2:45
Importance of Cyber to National Security
For Engineer Week, which runs Feb. 21-27, 2021, Mike White, assistant director for hypersonics in the office of the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, spoke about hypersonics as it relates to national security. Play
Hypersonics and National Security
1:40
Hypersonics and National Security
During Engineers Week, Lindsay Millard, the Defense Department's principal director for space, explains why aspiring engineers might pursue a career with the DOD. The event runs Feb. 21-27. Play
Space Careers in DOD
0:41
Space Careers in DOD
During Engineers Week, Michael Zatman, principal director of fully networked command, control, and communications in the office of the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, explains why having engineering experience in both the Defense Department and the private sector best supports the nation and what young people must do to be engineers in the DOD. The event runs Feb. 21-27. Play
DOD and Private Sector Experience
0:34
DOD and Private Sector Experience
During Engineer Week, which runs February 21-27, 2021, Stephanie L. Possehl, the Defense Department's acting deputy director for engineering and director for engineering policy and systems, explains what it means to be an engineer, why engineers ought to choose the DOD, and provides a shout-out to DOD engineers. Play
Engineering: Policy and Systems
0:48
Engineering: Policy and Systems
Daniel “Rags” Ragsdale is the principal director for cyber in the office of the director of defense research and engineering (research & technology). In that role, he's responsible for coordinating cyber modernization efforts across the Defense Department, with specific responsibility for the establishment of policies and for supervision over cyber modernization research and engineering, technology development, prototyping, experimentation, developmental testing and transition activities. He is also responsible for making recommendations concerning the allocation of resources and alignment of efforts across the department. Video by Marine Corps Cpl. Taryn Escott Play
Cyber Modernization
2:29
Cyber Modernization
During Engineer Week, which runs Feb. 21-27, 2021, Paul Lopata, principal director for quantum science, office of undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, explains why quantum science is so important to national security. Play
Quantum Science
1:11
Quantum Science
Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, HI (March 19, 2020) The Department of Defense successfully tested a hypersonic glide body in a flight experiment conducted from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii, March 19 at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time (HST). The U.S. Navy and U.S. Army jointly executed the launch of a common hypersonic glide body (C-HGB), which flew at hypersonic speed to a designated impact point. Play
DOD Tests Hypersonic Glide Body
0:05
DOD Tests Hypersonic Glide Body