The Trump administration is accelerating the United States’ defense edge by pouring billions into cutting‑edge technology for the military and the Coast Guard. In a statement released by the Department of War (DOW), officials said the latest modernization push follows recommendations from the White House Office of Science and Technology’s report, Science: A New Golden Age.
AI research partnership and cloud‑lab funding
One cornerstone of the effort is a new partnership with the National Science Foundation to build a shared research ecosystem. The collaboration will focus on X‑Labs, a programmable cloud laboratories network, and a $40 million investment in the AI Forge platform. The DOW also earmarked $200 million for programmable cloud labs in fiscal 2028 through its Future Years Defense Program, aiming to speed the transition of promising technologies from the lab to the field.
Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology Joseph Jewell emphasized the balance between rapid innovation and responsible program protection. “Maintaining our technological edge requires balancing rapid innovation with responsible program protection,” Jewell said. “We are modernizing testing facilities, empowering industry through initiatives like the Defense Patent Holiday, and expanding pathways for domestic scientific talent to safeguard our nation’s economic vitality and security.”
New performance framework for research centers
The DOW is also rolling out an enterprise‑wide framework to measure the performance and effectiveness of its in‑house laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and University‑Affiliated Research Centers. By applying metascience‑informed principles, the agency hopes to improve how research organizations are assessed, governed and resourced.
In addition, the department launched the Center for Defense Academic Research, which will run two initiatives: the Problem‑Based Basic Research Consortium and the Translational Research Initiative for Academia and Defense Partnership. These programs will unite multidisciplinary university teams with military service labs to solve pressing scientific challenges and develop solutions for mission readiness.
Scholarships and talent exchange
The DOW awarded 750 scholarships through its Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation program and is exploring a talent exchange with the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission Fellowship.
Coast Guard expands drone capabilities
On the maritime side, the Coast Guard is strengthening its surveillance and response abilities with a $247.8 million order from General Atomics for four MQ‑9B long‑range unmanned aircraft systems, ground control stations and supporting equipment. The drones will give the service greater reach to monitor offshore waters, protect borders and critical infrastructure, support search‑and‑rescue missions, combat drug trafficking, and enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Anthony Antognoli, assistant commandant and program executive officer for robotics and autonomous systems, said, “The MQ‑9B long‑range unmanned aircraft systems will expand our reach and strengthen our ability to protect the nation. This investment will give Coast Guard crews a longer‑range view of our maritime domain, helping them detect threats earlier, make better‑informed decisions and act faster across our missions.”
The acquisition is funded through the historic $25 billion “One Big Beautiful Bill” authorized by Congress, the largest capital investment in Coast Guard history. Of that amount, roughly $16.3 billion is earmarked for new assets and capabilities, including a $400 million contract to modernize the Coast Guard’s training center complex in New Jersey and several billion dollars for new Arctic cutters.
Recruiting success under the Trump administration
The announcement comes after the Coast Guard met its recruiting goals for the third straight year, resulting in the service’s largest enlisted class in nearly four decades, a milestone attributed to the Trump administration’s focus on strengthening the nation’s maritime security.
These initiatives collectively signal a concerted effort by the Trump administration to ensure that America’s warfighters have the technological tools they need to defend the nation, protect its borders and maintain global superiority.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
