Accelerating the transition of new technologies into defense systems is critical to achieve a lighter, more flexible Department of Defense (DoD). However, the typical time required for moving new materials and processing technologies from research to application is at least 10 years and many times even longer. These long time delays are attributed to the complexity of the process. Technology transition involves a variety of internal and external partnerships/teams. While each partner has a critical responsibility in the process, team members may all have different goals, timelines, and funding levels. Achieving active collaboration among these partners during all phases of technology transition is a key goal for success.

Recognizing these challenges, the Department of Defense is exploring methods to expedite adoption of new materials technologies into defense systems. To learn more, the Department sponsored a focused workshop to examine the lessons learned from rapid technology applications by successful integrated design and manufacturing groups. Based on the presentations and directed discussions at the workshop as well as a thorough review of existing literature in the field, three specific areas emerged to enable accelerated technology transition:

„X Creating a Culture for Innovation and rapid Technology „X Methodologies and Approaches „X Enabling Tools and Databases

These three areas will be reviewed discussed in this presentation; four specific recommendations the Committee concluded will be reviewed.