Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technologies: Implications for US National Defense

New Atlanticist Nov 1, 2024

NATO needs a defense industrial strategy that prioritizes being strong, smart, and together

By Kristen Taylor, Luka Ignac

A recent two-day summit underscored the ways in which the credibility of allied deterrence hinges on robust defense industrial cooperation.
Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technologies: Implications for US National Defense

New Atlanticist Oct 30, 2024

In defense of Draghi’s defense idea: Three models for a centralized defense procurer for the EU

By Thomas Goldstein

Only a European defense procurer can provide the institutional reform to overcome intra- and intergovernmental paralysis and invest at scale.
Defense Industry Defense Policy
Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technologies: Implications for US National Defense

UkraineAlert Oct 8, 2024

The West must learn defense tech lessons on the Ukrainian battlefield

By Edward Verona

The Russia-Ukraine War is the most technologically advanced war in history but Western military strategists and weapons developers risk missing out on key lessons due to excessive caution, writes Edward Verona.
Conflict Defense Industry

Content

In-Depth Research & Reports

Sep 14, 2020

Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technologies: Implications for US National Defense

By Dr. Robert F. Ichord, Jr. and Dr. Jennifer T. Gordon

The US Department of Defense (DOD) has the potential to play a significant role bringing advanced reactor technology to demonstration and, ultimately, commercialization. Possible US military applications of advanced reactors—especially micro nuclear reactors (MNRs)—include deployment to remote bases that are challenging to supply with fuel; power systems for directed-energy weapons; and nuclear energy systems for space flight and off-world bases. This issue brief explores the challenges and opportunities inherent in DOD’s procurement of MNRs.

Defense Technologies Energy & Environment

Elections 2020

Aug 26, 2020

US needs to change the way it invests in defense if it wants to compete with rising rivals

By David A. Wemer

Successive years of stagnant defense spending levels and the prospect of lasting economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic could threaten to leave the United States handicapped in its growing military competition with rising powers China and Russia

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Transcript

Aug 20, 2020

Transcript: A Conversation with H.E. Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

By Atlantic Council

One week after the UAE-US-Israeli joint statement announcing that the UAE and Israel have normalized relations, H.E. Anwar Gargash discusses how the two countries reached this historic agreement and explore the deal’s regional implications.

Defense Technologies Israel

In the News

Aug 17, 2020

Burrows and Manning: What happens when America is no longer the undisputed super power?

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Policy

Report

Aug 17, 2020

Primer on hypersonic weapons in the Indo-Pacific region

By John T. Watts, Christian Trotti, and Mark J. Massa

Hypersonic weapons are nearing maturation, but debates about their military relevance are often defined solely by technology. This primer situates hypersonic weapons within the regional context of the Indo-Pacific to provide a foundation for strategic analysis.

China Defense Industry

In the News

Aug 13, 2020

Warrick quoted in cyberscoop on US cyber defense policy
Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

In the News

Aug 13, 2020

General Jones and Brzezinski in Defense One: NATO Must Move Out Smartly on 5G

By James L. Jones, Jr., Ian Brzezinski

James L. Jones and Ian Brzezinski make the case for why NATO should move quickly to take advantage of 5G network technology and its military applications.

Americas Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Aug 6, 2020

Can new legislation revive Ukraine’s defense reforms?

By Serhiy Piontkovsky

Ukraine's defense industry has become a major source of state spending since the onset of hostilities with Russia in 2014, but corruption allegations have been a problem. Can new legislation revive reform efforts?

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Event Recap

Jul 28, 2020

Is the United States already losing the military tech race to China?

By Andrew Farnsworth

On June 30, Forward Defense hosted a panel of distinguished speakers to discuss the opportunities for, and challenges of, integrating autonomous technologies into the US military to better prepare it for great-power competition.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Report

Jul 26, 2020

Breaking trust: Shades of crisis across an insecure software supply chain

By Dr. Trey Herr, William Loomis, Stewart Scott, June Lee

Software supply chain security remains an under-appreciated domain of national security policymaking. Working to improve the security of software supporting private sector enterprise as well as sensitive Defense and Intelligence organizations requires more coherent policy response together industry and open source communities.

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies
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Experts

Fellow

Linda Lourie

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Artificial Intelligence Australia

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Fellow

Debra Cagan

Senior Advisor, Eurasia Center

Eurasia Center

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Fellow

Deborah Cheverton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Industry

Fellow

August Cole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy
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Events

Public Event Thu, July 24, 2025 • 4:15 pm ET

SAIC CEO Toni Townes-Whitley on mission integration in the defense ecosystem

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—SAIC CEO Toni Townes-Whitley discusses the role of mission integrators in today's defense industrial base and the future of the US defense ecosystem.

Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies Security & Defense