The Defense Innovation Board has been a key advisory resource for the Defense Department over the past three years, providing valuable insights and recommendations to enhance innovation within the department. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III commended the board for its diverse expertise and practical recommendations, which have helped accelerate innovation and keep the DOD at the forefront of technological advancements. The board was originally established in February 2016, and after a brief hiatus, it was reappointed in 2021 to continue providing insights and recommendations to strengthen department efforts in adopting innovative technologies and systems.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks highlighted the importance of innovation as an ongoing imperative for the DOD, emphasizing the need to lower barriers to innovation and promote a culture of change within the defense enterprise. She praised the progress made over the last four years in fostering innovation and implementing effective strategies to drive change across the DOD. Board Chairman Michael M. Bloomberg has played a crucial role in guiding the board’s efforts in various areas, including artificial intelligence, software, data, digital transformation, culture change, and workforce development.
Since its reappointment, the Defense Innovation Board has delivered eight significant studies with more than 150 strategic and tactical recommendations aimed at breaking down innovation barriers and providing cutting-edge capabilities to the warfighter more efficiently. These studies have addressed various key domains related to innovation, such as aligning the department with the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy, lowering barriers to innovation, building a DOD data economy, and optimizing innovation cooperation with allies and partners. Nearly half of the recommendations from these reports have been implemented within the department, showcasing the impact of the DIB’s work on advancing innovation within the DOD.
The DIB continues to publish new studies focusing on scaling nontraditional defense innovation and advancing unmanned weapon systems. These reports aim to enhance the department’s innovation agenda and drive faster technology adoption by aligning incentives, fostering collaboration with allies and partners, and leveraging contracting to procure and field commercial and dual-use capabilities. The board’s efforts in areas across military innovation and emerging technology adoption have been instrumental in helping the DOD stay ahead of technological advancements and meet the challenges of the future. More information on DIB reports and recommendations is available for those interested in learning more about the board’s work.
