Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has awarded prototype contracts to four companies for its Artemis project, which will operationally evaluate long range, one way platforms. DIU is partnering on this effort with the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment). The project also has support from Congress and a goal to provide loitering munitions capable of operation in an electromagnetic contested environment, at a price point that allows for mass deployment. “We are excited about the non-traditional companies who are providing low-cost, adaptable, long-range, UAS platforms with the potential to maximize operational flexibility for the Joint force,” said Trent W. Emeneker, DIU program manager for the effort and contractor.  “This was the intent of Congress’ direction to rethink how to get capabilities to the warfighter at speed and scale that can deliver much faster than traditional Programs of Record.” The four companies on contract include Swan,  Dragoon Technology LLC, AeroVironment, and Auterion. All were selected via DIU’s competitive Commercial Solutions Open process. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eWfXUKZA

What a weekend! Thanks to everyone who came out to Capital Factory House for the joint Disruptive Defense programming. More than 3,500 representatives from companies, government, academia and capital came together with the teams from Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), AFWERX, NavalX and other United States Department of Defense partners The three-day event included conversations on artificial intelligence, autonomy, energy, quantum, manufacturing and supply chains, digital tools and more. Speakers included Congressman Jake Ellzey, vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Defense (HAC-D), Gen. Tim Haugh, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command and Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service Agency, and DIU’s Liz Young McNally Travis DeMeester (CTR) Nicholas Estep, LtCol, PhD Steve Butow and Newt McKissick Catch up with the conversations you missed here: https://lnkd.in/eKaXEp3W

Congrats to our own Nat Higgins for being selected by Distinctive Edge Partners as one of their Government award winners!

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is moving into the next phase of its Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) program, which will demonstrate the military utility of quantum sensors to address strategic Joint Force competencies like positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), as well as anomaly detection. The milestone is the result of increased scientific understanding on the technology of quantum sensors and comes after coordination with subject matter experts from across the #DoD community. “In less than six months, we went from strategy, to source selection and awards, and are now off and executing unique technical solutions across five lines of effort: inertial sensors, gravimeters, magnetic anomaly detection, magnetic navigation, and technology insertions & component development,” said Nicholas Estep, LtCol, PhD, Director of the Emerging Technologies Portfolio at DIU. Over the next 12 months, the TQS project will undergo 10 field tests of quantum sensing applications in relevant DoD environments spanning ground, air, and maritime domains. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ej-MhfEB

We are proud that Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)’s pioneered and proven Commercial Solutions Opening and OT process is being scaled, tied to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment's Software Acquisition Pathway. “The Software Acquisition Pathway demonstrates how the Department is building new muscle to break down barriers to adopt the very best tech with the focus, speed, and scale required to deter major conflict or win if forced to fight,” said DIU Director Doug Beck. We're excited to share the flexibility and agility with of DIU’s CSO experience and expertise with new #acquisition teammates across the United States Department of Defense. Cherissa T. Sunmin Kim Nicholas DuPre Joshua Tuxhorn  David Rothzeid Raj S. Michael A. Brown Robert Trejo Lauren Dailey Defense Acquisition University https://lnkd.in/evmkXMae

We're excited to launch three days of joint defense programming in Austin! Explore how innovation and technology are driving readiness across key areas including Manufacturing & Supply Chains, AI & Autonomy, Energy, and Human Systems. Things kick off with powerful fireside chats from leaders including Rep. Ellzey, Dino Mavrookas, Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, Brig Gen Jason Hawk, Col Elliott Leigh, Darrell Phillipson and Travis DeMeester. Check out the full lineup on our event agenda: https://lnkd.in/er-xD6H2 And don't forget: Sunday we're hosting two exclusive opportunities: joint office hours at Capital Factory from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and the Human Performance Summit in collaboration with Willpower Performance Collective and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is gathering leaders from defense agencies, elite sports, and cutting-edge technology to explore the next frontier of human potential. This summit unites experts dedicated to enhancing readiness with a particular focus on resilience, recovery, and physical performance across high-stakes environments.

It was a pleasure to visit AI-enabled manufacturing companies this week with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander ADM Paparo. Watch this space for upcoming information on our DIU Blue Manufacturing effort which will be launched soon to help with scaling the best technology to Combatant Commands and Services.

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) leadership joined the 2025 National Security Innovation Base Summit this week, hosted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute. The event focused on strengthening and maintaining America's competitive military advantage in a changing defense ecosystem. Speaking on the topic of manufacturing, DIU Deputy Director of Commercial Operations Liz Young McNally highlighted DIU's work on projects like battery standardization (FAStBat) that are streamlining production and cost efficiency across the Department and the technology sector. She also underlined the importance of creating a clear and consistent demand signal from the DoD through to commercial companies. "There's really no substitute for buying a lot of something," she said. Later in the programming, DIU Director Doug Beck shared insights on the importance of working closely with U.S. allies to advance defense modernization. Watch the recording here: https://lnkd.in/e-Kb4xXn

With no territorial limits, space is the most complex warfighting domain and is redefining acquisitions and operations. By 2040, the commercial space market is projected to surpass $1 billion - yet, many small and nontraditional commercial companies are struggling to bring their technology to the #DoD. Learn how acquisition decision points to unleash opportunities for adoption, speed, and scale of commercial technologies into space operations from Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)’s Deputy Director, Space Portfolio Allen Varghese. In this special space edition of Defense Acquisition University's magazine, read more about recommendations for integrating commercial space into the defense innovation base. https://lnkd.in/e_S3z36y

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has awarded a prototype contract to Scale AI for its Thunderforge project, an initiative designed to integrate artificial intelligence (#AI) into military operational and theater-level planning. The contract was awarded through DIU’s open, competitive CSO process. Thunderforge incorporates cutting-edge modeling and simulation tools and signals a bold move to AI-enhanced, precision warfare, as it enables U.S. forces to stay ahead of threats with agility. The system will be deployed initially with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) to support mission-critical planning activities. "DIU is INDOPACOM's innovation arm, helping us meet immediate challenges by harnessing and adopting commercial best practices to iteratively develop, test, and ultimately field emerging technologies at speed and scale,” said ADM Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S.-INDOPACOM. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dem7dgnA