Senior Officials Announced for the War Department’s Six Critical Technology Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C – Jan. 29, 2026 – The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)) today announced the accountable leaders selected to direct the War Department’s six Critical Technology Areas (CTAs). These senior officials will lead the tangible “sprints” under each CTA, driving the development and delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to the American warfighter.

The six CTAs—Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI), Biomanufacturing (BIO), Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG), Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID), Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE) and Scaled Hypersonics (SHY)—are critical Department-wide imperatives designed to maintain American military dominance.

The newly appointed CTA leaders are:

Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI): Mr. Cameron Stanley
Mr. Cameron Stanley currently serves as the War Department’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO) and as the Senior Official for the Applied Artificial Intelligence CTA. Mr. Stanley will lead the Department’s adoption of data, analytics, and AI to generate a decisive warfighter advantage in all domains of warfare. A former National Security Transformation Lead for Amazon Web Services and Chief of the Algorithmic Warfare Cross Functional Team (Project Maven), Mr. Stanley brings unparalleled experience in operationalizing AI to deliver decision superiority on the battlefield.

Biomanufacturing (BIO): Dr. Gary J. Vora
Dr. Gary Vora will serve as the Senior Official for the Biomanufacturing CTA, directing efforts to scale critical materials and strengthen supply chain resilience. As the former Principal Scientist for Biotechnology for the Navy, Dr. Vora has extensive experience advancing biotechnologies from the laboratory to operational use as Programs of Record.

Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG): Dr. Robert Mantz
Dr. Robert Mantz will serve as the Senior Official for the Contested Logistics Technologies CTA. With more than four decades of federal service, Dr. Mantz has held senior roles at the Army Research Office and DARPA, where he oversaw major programs in energy storage and advanced power systems. His background in research management, technology transition, and logistics‑focused innovation will guide the Department’s efforts to advance and implement solutions that strengthen operational efficiency in contested logistics environments.

Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID): Dr. Kevin Rudd
Dr. Kevin Rudd, a nationally recognized leader in electronic warfare, radar, RF systems and advanced sensing, will lead the Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance CTA. Dr. Rudd has a proven record of delivering disruptive capabilities from research to operational transition at DARPA and the Office of Naval Research.

Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE): Dr. Christopher Vergien
Dr. Vergien will serve as the Senior Official for the Scaled Directed Energy CTA, providing strategic oversight for the Department’s High-Energy Laser and High-Power Microwave systems. Dr. Vergien will lead projects that advance and field operational capabilities, preserving American technological superiority.

Scaled Hypersonics (SHY): Dr. James W. Weber
Dr. James Weber will serve as the Senior Official for the Scaled Hypersonics CTA, bringing more than 33 years of experience overseeing hypersonic system development. Dr. Weber has overseen a portfolio of programs exceeding $6 billion annually and will guide the War Department’s strategy to accelerate the development and fielding of affordable hypersonic capabilities at scale.

The appointment of these senior officials signals a commitment to accountability and a wartime mindset. The current threat environment demands that Department leadership move with the same tenacity and urgency of our warfighters. These leaders will drive the transformation of our six CTAs into fielded and scaled capabilities that are required to maintain America’s asymmetric advantage. There is no time to waste—the War Department must deliver capabilities now, rapidly and at scale.