THE WAR DEPARTMENT'S CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Giving the warfighter the unfair advantage
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF WAR FOR RESEARCH & ENGINEERING
THE WAR DEPARTMENT'S CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Giving the warfighter the unfair advantage
Critical Technology Areas
The Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering’s Critical Technology Areas are essential to addressing the United States' most pressing national security challenges. These 6 CTAs reflect the complex environment for technology investment, development, and application in the 21st century. By focusing efforts and investments in these areas, the Department of War accelerates the transition of key capabilities to the Military Services and Combatant Commands. These are the most crucial areas that our military will achieve dominance in, ensuring that our warfighters never enter a fair fight.
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Artificial
Intelligence
Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI)
Transforming the War Department into an “AI-First” organization, aligned with the White House AI Action Plan, to revolutionize decision-making and operational efficiency.
Senior Official (CDAO)
Mr. Cameron Stanley
Leading data, analytics, and AI adoption to generate a decisive warfighter advantage across all domains. Formerly AWS National Security Lead and Chief of Project Maven.
Biomanufacturing (BIO)
Harnessing living systems to produce critical capabilities and substances at scale, eliminating supply chain vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience.
Senior Official
Dr. Gary J. Vora
Directing efforts to scale critical bio-materials and strengthen supply networks. Former Principal Scientist for Biotechnology for the Navy with extensive translation expertise.
Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG)
Overcoming the challenges of disrupted or denied logistics to ensure seamless resupply and operational continuity in contested environments.
Senior Official
Dr. Robert Mantz
Four decades of federal service spanning DARPA and the Army Research Office. Expert in energy storage and advanced power systems to optimize field logistics.
Quantum & Battlefield Info Dominance (Q-BID)
Delivering advanced capabilities to maintain communications, precision navigation and timing (PNT), and electromagnetic spectrum maneuverability in degraded or denied environments.
Senior Official
Dr. Kevin Rudd
Nationally recognized electronic warfare, radar, and RF authority. Led disruptive transition programs at DARPA and the Office of Naval Research.
Directed
Energy
Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE)
Breaking through affordability and production barriers to deliever cost-effective, high energy solutions capable of neutralizing threats with precision.
Senior Official
Dr. Christopher Vergien
Strategic oversight of high-energy lasers and high-power microwave defenses, leading projects to preserve American air defense and technological superiority.
Scaled Hypersonics (SHY)
Fielding Mach 5+ hypersonic weapons en masse to strike targets with unmatched speed, precision, and survivability.
Senior Official
Dr. James W. Weber
Over 33 years overseeing hypersonic systems portfolios exceeding $6B annually. Leading strategy to accelerate affordable mass deployment of advanced engines.
OUSW(R&E)
The Pentagon
Office of the Under Secretary of War,
Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
3030 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3030