Technological innovation is central to our national security. However, with a mission to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation’s security, the Department of Defense (DOD) may not always have the budget, team, and capabilities to produce innovations quickly to keep pace with rising threats.
That’s where dual-use technology comes into play.
Commercial organizations have the agility to turn innovative thought into reality quickly. U. S. military branches and agencies have used civilian technological innovations in the past, but to “gain and maintain operational advantage over competitors, the DOD requires an order of magnitude increase in its adoption of commercial technologies.”
Let’s take a closer look at dual-use technology and how it benefits both the military and civilian spheres.
An Overview of Dual Use Technology
Dual-use technology refers to products or innovations that serve both military and civilian purposes. These technologies are often developed with one sector in mind but find utility in the other, creating a significant opportunity for mutual benefit. By leveraging innovations from each domain, both sectors can share valuable resources, expertise, and outcomes.
Examples of Dual Use Technology
The history of civilian and defense technologies serving more than one purpose is as old as time. Some of the earliest evidence of dual-use tech can be traced back to the wheel, which was initially used for pottery and later adapted for transportation. Fast-forward to the 2400 BCE Mesopotamian use of war chariots, and we have our first clear use of civilian to military technology transfer.
Here are two more technologies that demonstrate the transfer of dual-use technology:
GPS: Military to Civilian Technology Transfer
Originally developed by the U.S. Department of Defense in the early 1970s, GPS was designed to ensure robust and stable satellite navigation for military purposes. The system’s 24-satellite network became fully operational in 1993, but in the 1980s, President Reagan announced that GPS would be made available for civilian use with “Selective Availability” for national security reasons. The release of GPS led to the profound lack of complexly folded maps in cars today.
5G: Civilian to Military Technology Transfer
The development of 5G technology was a major advancement in global telecommunications. No single entity can claim the invention of 5G; instead, it was a civilian development by industry leaders like Ericsson, Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung, Huawei, and ZTE.
The major advantage of 5G for military uses is its potential for covert communications. In 2020, DOD kicked off the world’s largest dual-use 5G testing effort. Today, the military is starting deployment of private 5G infrastructure, with the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia, recently signing a 42-month contract valued at $6 million for the first DOD 5G private network.
Benefits of Dual-Use Technologies for Defense and Civilian Applications
Support of U.S. Small Businesses
The DOD has long relied on the civilian sector to produce needed goods, but one of the most significant advantages of dual-use technologies is their ability to foster innovation, particularly with agile small businesses and start-ups. The DOD actively taps into the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses through federal programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or through connections and collaborations developed via organizations like Tech Grove.
SBIR grants, prize challenges, and other competitive programs offer funding to help small businesses develop their technology to potentially solve a military challenge and pave the way for commercialization. By investing in dual-use technologies, small businesses can not only reap the benefits of expanding into lucrative civilian markets but also contribute to national security.
Accelerated Innovation
One of the key benefits of dual-use technology is the faster pace of innovation in the civilian sector. Small businesses, in particular, can often develop, test, and refine new technologies more quickly due to their ability to pivot and make decisions without the extensive bureaucratic processes faced by larger organizations.
While they still face regulatory challenges, small businesses also typically experience fewer obstacles compared to the DOD, especially when it comes to adapting to market demands. Military development timelines are often longer due to complex and lengthy procurement, budgetary, and approval processes.
Cost Efficiency
Dual-use technologies can provide significant cost savings for the military. Military applications can benefit from the economies of scale driven by civilian demand.
For instance, microelectronics — used in everything from smartphones to defense systems — are manufactured in large quantities for the consumer market, driving down production costs. As a result, military agencies can benefit from the reduced cost of these components. Moreover, shared research and development (R&D) costs between military and civilian sectors can reduce overall investment and accelerate the availability of innovative solutions.
Rapid Adaptation to Changing Needs
Another significant advantage of dual-use technologies is their flexibility. When new military needs arise, technologies with civilian roots can be adapted quickly, leveraging existing commercial infrastructure. This rapid adaptation helps the DOD remain responsive to rapidly changing threats, from cyberattacks to emerging geopolitical challenges.
Strengthening National Security Through Civilian-Military Cooperation
The collaboration between civilian and military sectors is not just an economic benefit — it is crucial to national security. By fostering greater cooperation and facilitating the transfer of innovative technologies, both sectors can strengthen their collective ability to respond to complex challenges, from cybersecurity threats to natural disasters and health crises.
The use of dual-use technologies allows for more resilient, sustainable solutions that can adapt to both defense and civilian needs, creating a stronger, more interconnected system of national security.
For small businesses in the technology sector, there has never been a better time to collaborate.
At Tech Grove, we help leaders in technology development connect and collaborate with the defense sector, share ideas, and drive the next wave of advancements that will protect our nation and enhance our quality of life.
Do you have an innovative solution that may solve a military training challenge? Share your capabilities today!
