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Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering

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Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering

News & Events

GENAI.MIL

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the launch of GenAI.mil, the War Department's new AI platform. This initiative is designed to create an “AI-first” enterprise by embedding generative AI into daily operations for all 3 million DoW personnel.

Hon Emil Michael

New CTA Announcement

Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering Emil Michael officially released 6 new Critical Technology Areas (CTAs) to guide Department-wide technology priorities: Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI), Biomanufacturing (BIO), Contested Logistics Technology (LOG), Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID), Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE), and Scaled Hypersonics (SHY).

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and USD(R&E) Emil Michael toured our "drone petting zoo" in the Pentagon courtyard today to see American-made prototypes that have been rapidly developed in 12-24 months. Mr. Alex Lovett of R&E's Mission Capabilities Office showcased low-cost, high-performance UAS platforms, including the XQ-58 Valkyrie, LUCAS, and Vanilla, highlighting their unique launch methods, payload versatility, and long-endurance capabilities.

Unleashing U.S. Drone Dominance

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and USW(R&E) Emil Michael toured our "drone petting zoo" in the Pentagon courtyard on July 16th, 2025, to see American-made prototypes that have been rapidly developed in 12-24 months.

APFIT Program Breaks Records

The Littoral Explosive Ordinance and Neutralization (LEON) Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicle, an FY25 APFIT project, exits the water after clearing surf-zone mines in an exercise.

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Hon. Emil Michael met with new Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Director Stephen Winchell yesterday to discuss the exciting innovation breakthroughs of the future.

DARPA Connection

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Hon. Emil Michael, met with new Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Director Stephen Winchell on June 10th, 2025 to discuss the exciting innovation breakthroughs of the future.

VICEROY MAVEN Interns Recognized by DoD Leadership at the Pentagon

VICEROY MAVEN Interns

Washington, D.C. — The Department of War (DoW) Monday, August 4th, 2025, honored seven exceptional student interns from the VICEROY MAVEN internship program during an engagement held at the Pentagon.

Over 50 cutting-edge technology exhibits were displayed in the halls of the Pentagon for 2025 DoD Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Day! ⚙️💡 The Honorable Emil Michael had an opportunity to interface with several Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs) that specialize in everything from engineered cells and tissues to robotics. The Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program plays a huge part in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and continues to strengthen the next generation of American manufacturing technology that supports our warfighters.

ManTech Day

Over 50 cutting-edge technology exhibits were displayed in the halls of the Pentagon for 2025's DoW Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Day on July 8th, 2025! ⚙️💡 The Honorable Emil Michael had an opportunity to interface with several Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs) that specialize in everything from engineered cells and tissues to robotics.

A New Era

Mr. Emil Michael was officially sworn in as the new Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering (USW(R&E)) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Events from Across the R&E Enterprise

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Mission Capabilities Industry Engagement (TEM)

Event Date: Wednesday, 21 Jan 2026
Time: 0830-1500
Where: Kossiakoff Center, 11100 John Hopkins RD, Laurel, MD

The Assistant Secretary of War for Mission Capabilities (ASW(MC)), in the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)), is hosting a Technical Exchange Meeting (TEM) with industry. This engagement, held at the secret level, provides private industry with an update on the threats and challenges OUSW(R&E) programs are attempting to address. Additional MC info can be found at the OUSW(R&E) website.

Updates from Across the R&E Enterprise

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    USW(R&E) Emil Michael Announces Six CTAs for the War Department

    November 18, 2025

    The Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)), Emil Michael, unveiled six Critical Technology Areas (CTAs) that will define the future of American military superiority. These CTAs represent the cutting edge of research and engineering, designed to deliver immediate, tangible results to the warfighter and ensure the United States remains the most lethal fighting force in the world. From unleashing the full potential of artificial intelligence to scaling our hypersonic weapon arsenal, the Department is committed to delivering technologies that will shape the destiny of American military might for generations to come.

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    'DOD' Is Now 'DOW'

    September 5, 2025

    This week, the Defense Department had a name change. 

    "In a historic move today, President [Donald J.] Trump has signed an executive order changing our name to the Department of War," Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said during the department's latest Weekly Sitrep video. 

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    VICEROY MAVEN Interns Recognized by DoW Leadership at the Pentagon

    August 4, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — The Department of War (DoW) Monday, August 4th, 2025, honored seven exceptional student interns from the VICEROY MAVEN internship program during an engagement held at the Pentagon. The event celebrated the students’ contributions to national security through operational support, research, and mission-driven learning at DoW host sites across the country.

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    DoW Adopts Standard for Human Readiness Levels

    August 1, 2025

    First created by NASA in the 1970s, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) – which measures the progress of new technology from basic research to completion – was formalized in 1989. TRLs track both commercial and government product development and is common terminology in aerospace and defense.

News Archive

DOD Is Now DOW

September 23, 2025

DoD is Now DoW Sept. 5, 2025, By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order today changing the Defense Department’s name to the Department of War as a secondary title. Go to Article

Notice on Indirect Cost Rates for Assistance Awards to Institutions of Higher Education

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025 Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael signed the attached memorandum on June 12, 2025, to deviate from negotiated indirect cost rates for assistance awards to institutions of higher education and to implement a 15 percent indirect cost rate cap for awards to such institutions. Learn More

2025 DoW Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Day

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025 Over 50 cutting-edge technology exhibits were displayed in the halls of the Pentagon for 2025 DoD Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Day! Learn More

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OUSW(R&E)

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Office of the Under Secretary of War,
Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
3030 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3030

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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