Austin: Defense Innovation Unit ‘Moving at the Speed of Relevance’
December 7, 2024
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has praised the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for its rapid pace of innovation and its ability to deliver cutting-edge technologies to the warfighter.
In a visit to the DIU headquarters in Silicon Valley, Austin said that the unit is “moving at the speed of relevance” and is playing a vital role in maintaining the United States’ military advantage.
“The DIU is a critical part of our efforts to modernize the Department of Defense and ensure that we are prepared for the challenges of the future,” Austin said. “The work that you are doing here is essential to our national security.”
The DIU was established in 2015 to accelerate the adoption of commercial technologies by the Department of Defense. The unit has since partnered with hundreds of startups and small businesses to develop and deliver innovative solutions to the warfighter.
Some of the DIU’s most successful projects include:
- A drone that can fly for up to 24 hours without refueling
- A new type of body armor that is lighter and more protective than traditional armor
- A software platform that allows warfighters to share information and collaborate more effectively
The DIU is also working on a number of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way that the military operates.
“The DIU is helping us to stay ahead of our adversaries and maintain our military advantage,” Austin said. “I am confident that the unit will continue to play a vital role in the future of our national security.”
In addition to Austin, the DIU has also been praised by other senior defense officials, including Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley.
“The DIU is a model for how the Department of Defense can partner with the private sector to accelerate innovation,” Hicks said. “The unit is delivering cutting-edge technologies to the warfighter at a pace that is unprecedented.”
“The DIU is helping us to win the future,” Milley said. “The unit is developing the technologies that will give our warfighters the edge they need to defeat our adversaries and protect our national security.”
Austin: Defense Innovation Unit ‘Moving at the Speed of Relevance’
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