Growth Opportunities in Future Defense Technologies, 2024-2033

Evaluation of Emerging Technologies in Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and Materials Science and their Impact on the Defense Sector

The pace of technological change continues to accelerate, exposing significant limitations in militaries' technological abilities to combat emerging threats. The introduction of new technologies has created new vulnerabilities for military forces, demanding strategies to meet a wide range of threats that are becoming more lethal, diversified, hybrid, and versatile. Civilian companies in the defense space are outpacing traditional defense incumbents for a variety of reasons. Traditional defense technology development involved lengthy cycles, with a requirement for dependable, robust, and complex systems that primarily relied on public funding. Contrarily, modern commercial companies, which are characterized by faster innovation loops and increased private investment, emphasize rapid prototyping and testing with short lead times to production. This idea of rapid innovation and development is propelling the sector. Future technological advancements will be increasingly interconnected, with progress in one area driving development in adjacent and complementary areas. Anticipating the future of the armed forces necessitates tracking these interconnected technologies, as breakthroughs in one area can significantly impact related technologies. As a result, promising future technologies must be evaluated early in their development and production cycles to maximize impact and minimize risk. While some technologies from the previous study have seen widespread adoption, including cloud computing and data analytics, other technologies are still being explored.

Research Highlights

• The introduction of 5G technology, specifically millimeter wave communication, will revolutionize military communications. 5G offers unprecedented data speeds and reduced latency, facilitating real-time data sharing and enhanced situational awareness on the battlefield.
• Quantum computing promises to exponentially increase computational power, making it possible to solve complex problems that are currently intractable. For the military, this includes improved capabilities in simulations, logistics, and intelligence analysis, among other areas.
• Swarm robotics involves the use of numerous autonomous robots that work together to achieve a common goal. For militaries, swarms can conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and offensive operations with high efficiency and redundancy. Manned-unmanned teaming enhances situational awareness, operational efficiency, and mission effectiveness.
• Mixed reality (MR) technology, which combines AR and VR, offers immersive training environments for soldiers, enhancing their preparedness and adaptability.
• Advances in biotechnology and human enhancement will significantly impact the capabilities of military personnel, including advancements in genetic engineering, prosthetics, and cognitive enhancement, with the aim of improving physical and mental performance.
• Additive manufacturing, which is also known as 3D printing, is transforming military logistics by enabling the on-demand production of spare parts and equipment.
• Advancements in energy generation and storage are vital to modern military operations. Advanced battery technologies (solid-state batteries, for example) provide higher energy densities and faster charging times to meet the rising power demands of modern military equipment.
• Hypersonic weapons, which can travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, represent a tremendous advancement in offensive capabilities. These weapons can elude traditional missile defense systems due to their high speed and maneuverability, making them a formidable threat.
• Directed energy weapons (DEWs), including high-energy lasers and microwave systems, offer precise and scalable offensive capabilities. DEWs can disable or eliminate targets with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the collateral damage.
• Metamaterials, which are designed to include properties not found in naturally occurring materials, are paving the way for advanced stealth technologies and enhanced sensing capabilities.