Reimagining the Defense Innovation Ecosystem: From Labs to the Warfighter

<p>The U.S. has no shortage of <strong>Emerging Technology and Defense Technology innovation</strong>, but getting that innovation into the hands of the <strong>Warfighter</strong> remains a challenge. As the pace of technological change accelerates, the <strong>Department of Defense (DoD)</strong> is rethinking how its research, development, and laboratory ecosystem can move faster and better connect <strong>Emerging Technology</strong> with operational needs and <strong>National Security</strong> priorities.</p><p>In this episode of <em>Emerging Tech Horizons</em>, Arun Seraphin sits down with Jacob Glassman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies, to discuss the future of the <strong>defense innovation ecosystem</strong> and the role of the Department&#39;s laboratories in accelerating <strong>Defense Technology</strong> transition. Glassman shares insights from a recent review of the defense lab enterprise, including efforts to break down barriers to innovation, improve collaboration across laboratories, and get promising <strong>Emerging Technology</strong> to the <strong>Warfighter</strong> faster.</p><p>Link to study: https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Defense-Research-Enterprise-Review.pdf</p><p><strong>Key topics include:</strong></p><ul><li>Why the Department needs to move beyond simply out-innovating adversaries and learn to continuously innovate faster than the pace of change on the battlefield, strengthening <strong>National Security</strong>.</li><li>How government laboratories, FFRDCs, and university research centers can serve as critical bridges between <strong>Emerging Technology</strong>, industry, acquisition programs, and the <strong>Warfighter</strong>.</li><li>The barriers preventing promising <strong>Defense Technology</strong> from moving from prototypes to scalable capabilities—and why the Department is strong at prototyping but struggles with scaling.</li><li>How lowering barriers to entry can create opportunities for startups, entrepreneurs, and non-traditional innovators to work with defense laboratories and bring new <strong>Defense Technology a</strong>nd <strong>Emerging Technology into the National Security ecosystem.</strong></li><li>The untapped value of government intellectual property, advanced facilities, and technical expertise—and how better access and collaboration could generate greater returns on those investments and strengthen <strong>National Security.</strong></li><li>Workforce challenges facing the defense laboratory enterprise and the need to create new opportunities for younger technical talent to contribute to the future of <strong>Defense Technology and</strong> <strong>National Security.</strong></li><li>Glassman&#39;s &quot;sprint&quot; approach to solving problems through rapid experimentation, learning by doing, and quickly deciding whether to kill, pivot, or scale an effort.</li><li>How initiatives such as LabFinder could improve access to government laboratory facilities, lower barriers for industry, and provide better data on facility utilization, helping accelerate <strong>Emerging Technology and</strong> <strong>Defense Technology development.</strong></li></ul><p>NDIA <strong>Emerging Technologies Institute:</strong> <a href="https://www.ndiaeti.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.ndiaeti.org</a> </p><p>NDIA <strong>Emerging Technologies Conference:</strong> https://www.ndiatechexpo.org</p><p>Be sure to follow us on social media for updates, early access to upcoming events, inside scoops, &amp; more:</p><p><strong>LinkedIn:</strong> https://bit.ly/4htROo0</p><p><strong>Twitter:</strong> https://bit.ly/48LHAx3</p><p><strong>Facebook:</strong> https://bit.ly/47vlht8</p><p>And for more podcasts, articles, &amp; publications covering all things emerging tech, visit: ndiaeti.org</p><p>#Warfighter #EmergingTechnology #Departmentofdefense #DefenseTechnology #NationalSecurity</p>