Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

Space Power Beaming is the future of power production and generation. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/ezVCwNVp

Director Owen West sat down with DefenseScoop to outline his aggressive vision for the future of DIU, built around delivering tangible results and reducing the military’s “cost per kill.” https://lnkd.in/eYCJWvyJ

Our Space Power Beaming solicitation is now live. As space technologies advance and power requirements for missions increase, there is a growing need to investigate alternative forms of power production and generation. Existing power technology limits the ability to deploy new and novel technologies on orbit and many missions operate with narrow power margins constrained largely by a trade between size, weight, and power (SWaP) and availability of power sources. The Joint Force seeks a demonstration of SPB to provide operational capability and inform future architecture decisions. Submissions due by 22 July 2026 at 23:59:59 Eastern Time. https://lnkd.in/ezVCwNVp

A New Vision for DIU.

3 USVs. Crippling Results. Zero American soldiers in harm's way. Another example of a DIU project delivering measurable results. https://lnkd.in/e7mxxkhK U. S. Central Command (USCENTCOM)

DIU, alongside our cooperative agreement partner ARI (Applied Research Institute), is issuing a Request for Information to identify potential locations for Defense Innovation OnRamp Hubs. Proposals are open via Sam.gov until July 31, 2026. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e_DeenDf

Our Specular MIST Prize Challenge is now live. DIU, in collaboration with the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office (DONRCO) and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, seeks to identify innovative, scalable, and cost-effective solutions to address modern maritime training and operational challenges. A critical component of this modernization effort is the deployment of autonomous and containerized payloads to generate combat power at speed and scale. This initiative focuses on accelerating the development, prototyping, and production of a portfolio of payloads for integration onto manned and autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), providing adaptable, lethal, and decisive advantages in contested maritime environments. Submissions due by July 22 at 23:59:59 Eastern Time. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eTfBKHS8

Our Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) solicitation is now live. The math of modern warfare is changing, and our force design must change with it. For decades, the Joint Force has relied on low-density, high-value, “exquisite” (>$30M) manned and unmanned aircraft. In a high-end fight, this model is simply unsustainable. To win, we must design for, and accept, inevitable attrition while retaining the advantage. The Solution: Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) The Joint Force seeks a cost-effective, theater-range, massed, risk-tolerant Unmanned Aerial System that can be reconfigured in-theater for long-range payload delivery. MMA must be capable of carrying a variety of payloads—including Full Motion Video (FMV) sensors—to take over missions currently flown by high-demand platforms like the MQ-9A. By overwhelming adversary defenses with mass rather than relying solely on exquisite survivability, the Joint Force can preserve its most critical assets while maintaining relentless operational pressure. Submissions due by 23 July 2026 at 23:59:59 Eastern Time. https://lnkd.in/eTUp8Fjs

American innovation hits different. From the lightbulb and GPS to the polio vaccine and flight, we have always been a nation of fast-moving disruptors. Eleven years ago, DIU was founded in that exact spirit: a rebellion against antiquated processes. We bridge the gap between bleeding-edge commercial tech and the warfighter. Happy 250th to the greatest nation on the planet!