The Defense Department quickly plans to launch its National Defense Science and Technology Strategy, or NDSTS. But components of that as but unreleased technique figured into the event of parts of the division’s fiscal 12 months 2024 price range request, stated the undersecretary of protection for analysis and engineering.

“We are implementing this strategy in the president’s FY 24 [fiscal year 2024] budget request, which continues historic levels of investment in research and development,” stated Heidi Shyu throughout testimony earlier than the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems on Thursday. “It prioritizes delivery of near-term capabilities at speed and scale; direct support to joint warfighting concepts; and building the science and technology foundation for tomorrow.”

Shyu advised lawmakers that, in dealing with the strategic challenges posed by China, she believes the American folks must be assured of two issues: First, the Defense Department understands the challenges it faces and the necessity to transfer with velocity and willpower to satisfy them; second, the U.S. at the moment has “an undeniable advantage over any potential adversary.”

While China seeks to problem the U.S. for superiority, it has not succeeded in that objective.

“Our task in my office and in and the broader innovation enterprise is to ensure that we maintain our enduring advantage,” Shyu advised lawmakers.

The National Defense Science and Technology Strategy, she stated, lays out three traces of effort to assist the division make sure the U.S. maintains its benefit. That contains:

• A deal with 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 primary analysis, and a rise in collaboration with U.S. companions and allies.

“We are implementing this strategy in the president’s FY 24 budget request, which continues historic levels of investment in research and development,” she stated. “It prioritizes delivery of near-term capabilities at speed and scale; direct support to joint warfighting concepts; and building the science and technology foundation for tomorrow.”

Last 12 months, Shyu recognized 14 areas of know-how the Department will emphasize. Those applied sciences embrace issues similar to biotechnology, trusted synthetic intelligence and renewable power era and storage. Shyu stated the FY 2024 price range makes investments in every of these know-how areas.

New applied sciences imply nothing for the nation’s protection, Shyu stated, until they will shortly be moved into the arms of warfighters. In submitted written testimony, Shyu stated the division’s efforts to speed up vital capabilities into the arms of warfighters have resulted in directed power techniques being made obtainable this 12 months to each the Army and Navy. Also this 12 months, she stated, the division will launch hypersonic and ballistic monitoring area sensors.

To construct an everlasting benefit, Shyu stated new university-affiliated analysis facilities and packages — just like the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation, or SMART, scholarship program — strengthen America’s science and engineering workforce.

“The budget supports workforce programs, such as the SMART Scholarship,” she stated. “[And] with congressional support, earlier this year, we announced our first University Affiliated Research Center at a historically Black university, at Howard University, and have included significant funding in the FY 24 request to do more with minority institutions.”

Also part of creating an everlasting benefit, Shyu stated, is nearer collaboration with companions.

“Our strong collaboration with allies and partners will enable accelerated capability delivery and interoperability in the contested battlespace,” she stated. “Together, we will be far stronger.”