Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

Just posted: Cooperative Agreement (Grant) for our OnRamps! Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is building a unified physical Defense Innovation OnRamp, which will include Flagship DIU offices, physical presence via a distributed team, physical and digital OnRamp Hubs, and other relationships with the academic, startup, and commercial sectors to enable non-traditional, dual-use, and/or commercial technology companies to work with the United States Department of Defense to rapidly support warfighter needs. DIU’s OnRamp efforts are part of DIU’s strategy to develop a robust regional presence in order to tap into the extant commercial technology ecosystems and innovation base. For this solicitation, recipients will design, develop and manage a network of offices, physical and digital hubs, and other collaborative partnerships and projects designed to lower the barriers for entry for commercial and dual-use technology into the DoD. This will involve collaboration between a diverse set of stakeholders. The recipient(s) sought for this effort will provide direction to improve the ways in which non-traditional companies and talent can work with the DoD and grow regional defense innovation ecosystems. These efforts should be aligned with the types of commercial and dual-use technology that DIU is bringing into the Department with the speed and scale required for strategic effect. Responses are requested by January 21, 2025. Details about what is requested can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eBcnPj9v

With more than 500 bases, comprising ~300,000 buildings dispersed across diverse climate zones, the United States Department of Defense requires reliable access to hot water, heating, and cooling systems. The DoD spends approximately $4 billion annually on facility energy consumption. To meet this challenge, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Innovation Unit and DoD’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (SERDP & ESTCP) have awarded three contracts to prototype technologies for facility air conditioning and domestic water heating applications at DoD installations. “Installation energy programs like this, support an incredibly important National mission to increase the efficiency of heating and cooling needs at our stateside and foreign bases, in the long run saving dollars that can be applied to personnel and other needs,” said Energy Portfolio Director at DIU, Andrew Higier Ph.D.. Competitively selected out of a pool of 40 contenders, the companies include: GTI Energy, Blue Frontier, Inc. and Intellihot Inc.

DIU was honored to join Ambassador Nathaniel Fick and @USAmbKyiv Bridget Brink in Kyiv this past week, spending time with our Ukrainian partners to discuss cyber, emerging tech innovation, and lessons learned from their frontlines. In addition to meeting with our Ukrainian government partners, the team had a chance to visit with a broad cross section of the brilliant and dedicated Ukrainian patriots working hard to bring the best tech to bear in the fight.   "We are proud to work closely with our partners in Ukraine, and of their leadership and ingenuity in hardware, software and digital innovation," said Doug Beck, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) director. "We look forward to exploring future opportunities to contribute to their heroic efforts, and to learning from their hard-won experience as we in the U.S. apply commercially derived technology with the focus, speed, and scale required for strategic impact globally.”   U.S. Department of State Mykhailo Fedorov Valeriya Ionan Anton Demokhin RUSTEM UMEROV Alexander Kamyshin BRAVE1

Just Launched! The Inaugural U.S.-Japan Global Innovation Challenge to Enhance Resilience Against Biological, Disinformation Threats Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Japan's Defense Innovation Science and Technology Institute (DISTI), the newly formed defense innovation organization of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), are seeking novel technologies that can help advance AI-driven counter disinformation and biodefense solutions. “I’m incredibly excited about our partnership with the Japanese, their standup of DISTI, and about the first example of our concrete collaboration together. The Japanese are simultaneously one of our most critical allies in the region and the world, and one of the most able partners in the technology sector,” said DIU Director Doug Beck. “Our coordination and cooperation in our shared strategic imperative for a free and open Indo-Pacific is critical to our success.” DIU's full release on the joint challenge can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eXKhdkvB Details about the Joint challenge can be found here: https://lnkd.in/emCQnMTb

See you in Austin! Save the date, and prepare to connect and collaborate at Capital Factory House for Disruptive Defense – the must-attend Joint Innovation event that bridges technology and national security from March 7-9, 2025 in Austin, Texas. This year, we’re creating a space where visionaries and innovators can explore critical technology areas and drive strategic impact. We’re building a dynamic agenda that revolves around impactful tracks shaping the future of defense with an incredible line up of keynote speakers and expert panelists shaping these critical technology areas. In addition to compelling talks and discussions we’re hosting specialized Joint Office Hours to create meaningful one-on-one interactions with experts, mentors, and peers – more details to be revealed soon! AFWERX Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) NavalX Army Applications Laboratory NSIN - National Security Innovation Network Defense Innovation OnRamp Hubs Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eGq6pTX2 Capital Factory House registration available here: https://lnkd.in/eBqVc3g9 #DisruptiveDefense #CFH #Austin #Innovation #DefenseTech

ICYMI: The Hudson Institute hosted a webinar “Accelerating Replicator and Fielding Technologies for Today’s Fight.” Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Deputy Director Aditi Kumar shared lessons learned for scaling and fielding commercial technology across the DoD. Key to the initiative's success has been frequent and clear communication with partners in the commercial sector, Combatant Commands. “Making sure that we have that network and visibility into what’s happening in the technology sector - both domestically and overseas - that’s where DIU can add value,” she said. As the DoD moves into Replicator 2, DIU will continue to encourage innovation through clear, consistent demand signals. “What’s cutting edge today, if we do our jobs right, should not be the cutting edge in 2027 and beyond,” she said. Watch the full interview here, moderated by Bryan Clark: https://lnkd.in/e-UEj-CN

US Navy platforms require increased power and energy production, storage, and distribution for a range of maritime applications and threats. Following a competitive CSO process, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) with the Navy awarded Siemens Energy a contract to develop a militarized solution based on its commercially available BlueVault Energy Storage System technology. The technology solution may enable vessel engine efficiency, decrease fuel consumption and emissions, increase operational endurance, and reduce lifecycle cost to shipboard equipment.  “This project propels us toward the next generation of power and energy systems for the Fleet,” said James Dempsey, Team Ships Director for Science & Technology. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gdpiVCd3

Family of Advanced Standard Batteries for Unmanned Systems - (FASTBAT-U) Solicitation just posted! As the need for reliable energy storage technologies grows, the Department of Defense (DoD) faces complex supply chain challenges. Establishing access to robust sources of compliant batteries, and supporting the growth of domestic battery manufacturing capacity, is of critical importance to the Defense industrial base. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking fully commercialized, rechargeable battery cells that meet the performance needs of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) to include Group 1 and 2, with diverse mission requirements. The proven (TRL 7+, MRL 7+) solutions with recurring commercial revenue, transparent materials sourcing, and at minimum, a manufacturing pilot line and roadmap to onshore, friendshore, or scale domestic/Allied production in the 10s-100s of MWh/yr. Responses requested by 1/09/2025. Details here: https://lnkd.in/eVTQXXDN #UAS #batteries #power

This is a great initiative by AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International to help grow the drone innovation base and to raise the standard of industry verification. #suas

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking a National Capital Regional Director. This job announcement will be accepting applications until Midnight (EST) on 26 December 2024. Position duties include, but are not limited to: - Serving as the National Capital Regional (NCR) Director and acting as the principal responsible for building and maintaining DIU's regional presence in the NCR. - Operating as a liaison with commercial entities, including academia, venture incubators, and commercial accelerators in the region, coordinating with other DoD innovation organizations operating within the region. - Determining and allocating resources necessary to achieve regional objectives, and represent DIU at key national and regional events. DIU is a United States Department of Defense organization focused exclusively on accelerating the adoption of commercial technology to transform military capability and capacity, while growing the national security innovation base. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eP8nFcgw