Accelerating Military Modernization: Meeting the Urgency of the Future

Good morning,?

We all know that our national security depends on a modern, capable force. That sentiment received a boosted emphasis last week.

In a speech delivered to the National Press Club, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley,?emphasized the pressing need to expedite the modernization efforts ?of the United States military. Recognizing the evolving threat landscape and emerging technologies, Gen. Milley's call to action underscores the urgency to adapt, innovate, and equip the armed forces at an accelerated pace.

Assessing the Evolving Threat Landscape

The world has always been complex, and I tend to steer away from revisionist versions of history that suggest a simplified time that was peaceful and secure. For most of the 21st century, talking heads have discussed how the Cold War was so simple compared to the security environment characterized by global, violent extremism.?

Except the Cold War wasn’t simple. And the the “GWOT” wasn’t really more complex or dangerous than the Cold War.?

Having said that, any period of time for which we are not prepared is certainly a dangerous period. And there are indeed massive, existential threats such as nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, interdependent infrastructures, etc.

Security during the Cold War was largely predicated on the notion of Mutually Assured Destruction. If we (or the Soviets) launched nuclear weapons, the other side would have the time to respond in-kind. This tit-for-tat forced the aggressor to curb the use of nuclear weapons to prevent their own demise.

But these new technologies could create an asymmetric first-mover advantage. What if a country could act with impunity because by the time we know we’re under attack, it’s too late for us to respond. The current suites of technology promise that sort of speed, largely due to hypersonics, autonomous decision making, cyber capabilities, and more.?

And, it increasingly looks like we’re stumbling towards conflict between the current guardians of the international order and those that would see it upset (even former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has?cautioned against this recently ). As such, it’s imperative that we work to maintain at an absolute minimum parity and hopefully advantage relative to other states that may have malign purposes. Failing to do so threatens our very existence at home.

Embracing Technological Advancements

Integrating cutting-edge technologies will revise significant advantages across the levels of war (tactical through strategic and even into the institutional levels of the force). Technologies like AI, autonomous systems, quantum computing, and directed energy weapons can enhance military operations in the following ways:

1. AI greatest utility is in supporting decision making. Commanders—supported by staffs—must be able to visualize, describe, and direct operations. Artificial intelligence’s ability to execute data analysis, make sense of that data, model scenarios, and provide predictive analytics, all support a commander’s decision making ability and reduce the amount of time he needs to make decisions. Further, AI enables autonomous systems and reduces collateral damage through hyper-personalization patterns.?

2. Autonomous systems offer improved responsiveness, reduce casualties, and act as force multipliers. Autonomy is likely the most contentious pattern of AI explored by militaries.??Fears of SkyNet’s terminator robots are valid ?if?overstated . Nevertheless, we must discuss the extent to which we’ll allow autonomous weapons to operate before we impose a human back “on-the-loop” or “in-the-loop” (terms for human intervention and control over autonomous systems).

3. Quantum computing strengthens cryptography, optimization, and data analysis capabilities.?

4. Directed energy weapons provide speed, precision, cost-efficiency, and versatility.

Of course there are plenty of other emerging technologies that will play critical roles in the future of warfare. Harnessing innovation and emerging technologies is crucial for maintaining strategic superiority by enhancing operational efficiency, situational awareness, staying ahead of adversaries, and fostering innovation ecosystems.

Streamlining Acquisition Processes

I have worked within the defense acquisition and modernization enterprises.?

They are slow and bureaucratic and need massive transformation to be effective at creating meaningful defense modernization.?

The military's acquisition and procurement processes face various challenges and bottlenecks that hinder the timely modernization of the armed forces. Bureaucratic hurdles, complex regulatory requirements, and lengthy approval processes often contribute to delays and inefficiencies. The extensive documentation and testing procedures required for acquiring new technologies and systems can prolong acquisition timelines significantly. Additionally, budget constraints and competing priorities necessitate careful resource allocation and decision-making.?

Addressing these challenges requires streamlining acquisition procedures, reducing administrative burdens, fostering flexibility in contract management, and promoting greater collaboration between defense organizations, industry partners, and research institutions.?

By addressing these bottlenecks, the military can enhance its ability to quickly adopt emerging technologies and remain agile in a rapidly evolving security landscape.

Enhancing Collaboration and Partnerships

I’ve written before about the?importance of collaboration and partnerships ?for the military. These include industry (obviously) but also academia, research institutions, and others.?

The military must really lean on the innovation hubs that provide entry gates for many of these collaborative opportunities. Use them as well to push public-private partnerships.

We’ve seen the power of this collaboration (looking at you New Space Economy) and it will be as transformative and powerful in defense and security.

Overcoming Challenges and Risks

Rapid modernization does not thrive in highly bureaucratic organizations. The speed and agility required for modernization incurs inefficiencies and costs. The government—and especially the military—abhors such inefficiencies. The first major shift that the military must undergo to be successful in modernization is a cultural shift and a loosening of the reins.?

At the same time, we’re operating at the enterprises scale and technological integration poses a significant hurdle, as new systems and capabilities must seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure and operational procedures.?

Adequate training and reskilling programs are crucial to ensure personnel are proficient in operating and maximizing the potential of modernized equipment.?

To manage risks during modernization, cybersecurity resilience should be prioritized, with robust measures in place to protect critical systems from cyber threats.?

Mitigating potential disruptions involves comprehensive planning, scenario-based assessments, and contingency strategies to address unforeseen challenges. Adaptive leadership, organizational agility, and effective change management play a vital role in successfully navigating the modernization journey, enabling leaders to guide their teams through transformational periods, foster innovation, and build a culture that embraces continuous improvement and adaptability.

Conclusion

Gen. Mark Milley's call for expediting military modernization echoes the call that many others have been making to address the evolving threats and embrace emerging technologies. By streamlining acquisition processes, fostering collaboration, and allocating adequate resources, the military can position itself to meet the challenges of the future head-on. With a sense of urgency and a commitment to innovation, the armed forces can ensure they remain at the forefront of global security and maintain their ability to protect national interests effectively.

Keep building,

Andrew