Science, Technology Inform DOD Budget Request
“We’re implementing this technique within the president’s FY 24 [fiscal year 2024] finances request, which continues historic ranges of funding in analysis and improvement,” stated Heidi Shyu throughout testimony earlier than the Home Armed Companies Committee Subcommittee on Cyber, Progressive Applied sciences and Info Techniques on Thursday. “It prioritizes supply of near-term capabilities at velocity and scale; direct help to joint warfighting ideas; and constructing the science and expertise basis for tomorrow.”
Shyu instructed lawmakers that, in dealing with the strategic challenges posed by China, she believes the American folks ought to be assured of two issues: First, the Protection Division understands the challenges it faces and the necessity to transfer with velocity and dedication to fulfill them; second, the U.S. presently has “an simple benefit over any potential adversary.”
Whereas China seeks to problem the U.S. for superiority, it has not succeeded in that objective.
“Our job in my workplace and in and the broader innovation enterprise is to make sure that we preserve our enduring benefit,” Shyu instructed lawmakers.
The Nationwide Protection Science and Know-how Technique, she stated, lays out three strains of effort to assist the division make sure the U.S. maintains its benefit. That features:
- A give attention to the joint mission.
- The creation and fielding of capabilities at velocity and scale.
- The creation of an everlasting benefit, which entails the cultivation of expertise, the strengthening of infrastructure, the pursuit of fundamental analysis, and a rise in collaboration with U.S. companions and allies.
“We’re implementing this technique within the president’s FY 24 finances request, which continues historic ranges of funding in analysis and improvement,” she stated. “It prioritizes supply of near-term capabilities at velocity and scale; direct help to joint warfighting ideas; and constructing the science and expertise basis for tomorrow.”
Final 12 months, Shyu recognized 14 areas of expertise the Division will emphasize. These applied sciences embody issues resembling biotechnology, trusted synthetic intelligence and renewable vitality technology and storage. Shyu stated the FY 2024 finances makes investments in every of these expertise areas.
New applied sciences imply nothing for the nation’s protection, Shyu stated, except they will shortly be moved into the fingers of warfighters. In submitted written testimony, Shyu stated the division’s efforts to speed up vital capabilities into the fingers of warfighters have resulted in directed vitality methods being made out there this 12 months to each the Military and Navy. Additionally this 12 months, she stated, the division will launch hypersonic and ballistic monitoring house sensors.
To construct an everlasting benefit, Shyu stated new university-affiliated analysis facilities and applications — just like the Science, Arithmetic, and Analysis for Transformation, or SMART, scholarship program — strengthen America’s science and engineering workforce.
“The finances helps workforce applications, such because the SMART Scholarship,” she stated. “[And] with congressional help, earlier this 12 months, we introduced our first College Affiliated Analysis Heart at a traditionally Black college, at Howard College, and have included vital funding within the FY 24 request to do extra with minority establishments.”
Additionally part of creating an everlasting benefit, Shyu stated, is nearer collaboration with companions.
“Our sturdy collaboration with allies and companions will allow accelerated functionality supply and interoperability within the contested battlespace,” she stated. “Collectively, we shall be far stronger.”
