Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Archives

A Ukrainian drone operator who gave the name Artem pilots an attack drone as Ukrainian soldiers of the 108th Territorial Defense Brigade test fly a Ukrainian-made Vampire drone, with six rotors, night vision and thermal imaging capabilities, and capable of carrying four 82mm artillery shells, near the southern frontline on February 21, 2024 in Ukraine. (Photo by Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

Pentagon shopping for ‘low-cost, one-way’ drones with extended ranges

"Recent conflicts have highlighted the asymmetric impact low-cost, one-way unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have on the modern battlefield," DIU says in its solicitation.

Oct 3, 2024 By Billy Mitchell

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his U.K. and Australian counterparts host a press conference in London at the third AUKUS ministerial meetings, Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo by Brandi Vincent)

AUKUS eyes opportunities for expansion — on a ‘project-by-project’ basis

Defense officials discussed why the trilateral security partnership won’t be expanding under Pillar 1 any time soon — or maybe ever.

Sep 30, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Sept. 13, 2024. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)

Exclusive: Defense Secretary Austin unveils aims to push counter-UAS tech in Replicator 2.0

DefenseScoop has exclusive details on what's to come under Replicator 2.0 via a memorandum signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Sep 30, 2024 By Brandi Vincent Mikayla Easley

John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom hosts Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia and Lloyd Austin Secretary of Defense, United States (U.S.) at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London, the United Kingdom (UK) to review progress in and reaffirm their commitment to the AUKUS partnership, Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo by Brandi Vincent)

AUKUS shares results of inaugural Electronic Warfare Challenge

DIU, Australia’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator and the United Kingdom’s Defence and Security Accelerator collectively launched this EW challenge in March as part of AUKUS Pillar 2.

Sep 26, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 15, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wright)

Air Force secures its first Replicator system as part of second tranche

Multiple sources indicated to DefenseScoop that the Air Force put forth drones in its Enterprise Test Vehicle program for the Pentagon's Replicator initiative.

Sep 6, 2024 By Mikayla Easley

U.S. Air Force communications specialists, assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, check a radio antenna’s alignment with a satellite, as part of a Communications Fly Away Kit (CFK) deployment at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 10, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DIU seeks data mesh solution to unify distribution across DOD networks

The innovation hub is on the hunt for a capability that "can reliably and efficiently distribute data across multiple, geographically-dispersed network enclaves that can communicate with each…

Sep 4, 2024 By Billy Mitchell

Gen. Laura Richardson, Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, and DIU Director Beck meet with colleagues and counterparts in Chile. (DIU Photo)

DIU chief joins military leaders in Chile to discuss emerging technology priorities

Doug Beck briefed DefenseScoop on his recent trip.

Aug 30, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

A representative from an unmanned aerial system manufacturer demonstrates capabilities for the Ascent Spirit UAS during a West Coast Blue UAS Industry Day at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Oct. 20, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pedro Arroyo Jr.)

What’s unique about DIU’s new prize challenge to extend the Pentagon’s drone supply

Some U.S. service members will help decide what technologies are ultimately cleared for wider use, according to the official overseeing the Blue UAS Refresh Challenge.

Aug 16, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Mariners aboard research vessel Bold Horizon recover a launched large displacement unmanned undersea vehicle (Dive-LD by Anduril) in San Diego Bay during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 24.1, March 05, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Ian Delossantos)

Second Replicator tranche to include Anduril’s autonomous underwater drones

The company previously announced plans to launch a new factory to speed up the manufacturing of Dive-LD uncrewed systems.

Aug 14, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

The main gate of the United States European Command (EUCOM) headquarters at the Patch Barracks is seen in Stuttgart, southern Germany, on July 29, 2020. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty Images)

DIU embed works to help Eucom modernize against real-world threats

Col. Glenn McCartan, the first-ever Defense Innovation Unit embed within U.S. European Command, talked to DefenseScoop about the work he's been doing.

Aug 8, 2024 By Brandi Vincent