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The US Department of War has merged two advisory groups to create a fresh board.
Combining the Defense Innovation Board and the Defense Science Board, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s department is introducing the new Science and Technology Innovation Board (STIB).
The STIB seeks to reflect the Department of War’s (DOW) transition “away from the alphabet‑soup era of indecisive overlapping groups that delay results to the American warfighter”.
The board will create a singular hub for innovation that will effectively cut down the times and resources needed to produce technological defence solutions, with hopes of providing a “rapid resolution to complex national security problems”, according to a press statement.
“Our warfighters can’t afford to wait,” said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering.
“We are unifying our best scientific minds and our most innovative private-sector leaders into a single board built to provide clear answers, not more bureaucracy.”
Made up of 40 members, Dr Milan Nikolich will head the STIB as chair, supported by other accredited experts in the science and technology sector.
The STIB will incorporate additional leaders and talents from the science and technology industry to shape “disruptive advancement and foundational scientific priorities” in America’s defensive capabilities.
“The creation of the STIB ensures that ideas on the bleeding edge move quickly from concept to the field, directly making a difference to the joint force,” Under Secretary Michael said.
The DOW said that to ensure the board is successful, two subcommittees will be established to ensure the outcomes are successfully achieved.
The subcommittee on strategic options will identify, highlight and point out the concepts and potential strategies that the STIB can undergo in order to strengthen deterrence and “increase operational dominance”.
The subcommittee on national security innovation will advise specifically on innovation pathways and technological opportunities to leverage national security.
