FY2025 NDAA: Accelerating Technology Transitions (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Oct. 1, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IN12435 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Alexandra G. Neenan; Marcy E. Gallo |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Defense Department seeks technological advantages to obtain battlefield overmatch, deter potential
enemies, and contribute to decisive U.S. military victory. Underpinning U.S. technological advantages are
leading-edge innovations built on a foundation of insights gained from research and development (R&D)
activities. Some analysts believe that U.S. technological superiority—and, by extension, national
security—is at risk due to a number of factors, including the increasing technological prowess of potential
adversaries.
The National Defense Science and Technology Strategy (NDSTS) outlines three strategic lines of effort to
maintain the nation’s competitive edge, including “creat[ing] and field[ing] capabilities at speed and
scale.” This CRS product provides an overview of selected provisions in the House-passed and Senate
Armed Services Committee (SASC)-reported versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA, H.R. 8070 and S. 4638) that seek to accelerate the transition of technologies
from the R&D phase into operational use.
