DIU strengthens our national security by accelerating the adoption of leading commercial technology throughout the military and growing the national security innovation base.
Who We Are / Our Mission
Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Accelerate DoD adoption of commercial technology
Transform military capacity and capabilities
Strengthen the national security innovation base
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) strengthens our national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology throughout the military and strengthening our allied and national security innovation bases. DIU partners with organizations across the Department of Defense (DoD), from the services and components to combatant commands and defense agencies, to rapidly prototype and field advanced commercial solutions that address national security challenges. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago and the Pentagon, DIU connects its DoD partners with leading technology companies across the country.
DIU is the only DoD organization focused exclusively on fielding and scaling commercial technology across the U.S. military at commercial speeds. We are focused on six technology areas where the commercial sector is operating at the leading edge: artificial intelligence, autonomy, cyber and telecom, energy, human systems, and space.
We aim to move from problem identification to prototype contract award in 60–90 days whereas the traditional DoD contracting process often takes more than 18 months. Prototype projects typically run from 12–24 months and are administered according to Other Transaction (OT) authority. Upon completion, successful prototypes may transition to follow-on production-OT agreements or FAR-based contracts.
Transparency
Every year, we produce an annual report to provide public insight into what we have done and where we are going. These reports offer a snapshot of how we are performing against our mission, project highlights and updates, organizational evolution, and leadership’s goals and expectations for the coming calendar year. Browse our reports to learn more about the value we create and how you might work with us in the future.
*Note: In prior annual reports, we based our metrics and performance on calendar year data. Starting in FY 2021, DIU will present metrics and performance on a fiscal year basis. This shift will enable us to better align with DoD and Congressional funding cycles.
Thought Leadership & Reform
Technological innovation is central to our future economic prosperity and national security. DIU seeks to provide examples of how government, businesses, and academia can work together more effectively to maintain American competitiveness today and lay the foundation for future advances. Explore the short papers featured below or view our Latest page to read more about our work and what we've learned along the way.
Our Offices
DIU has moved to a regional approach based out of these five satellite offices to better connect with the labs, bases, accelerators, and investors where we may not have a presence. Email info@diu.mil for more information.
Silicon Valley
Boston
Austin
The Pentagon
Chicago
DIU Organizations
DIU brings innovation missions together to strengthen the national security innovation base. In addition to our original mission, Pentagon leadership in 2019 directed DIU to assume oversight of NSIN and NSIC, which operate as two distinct DoD organizations with complementary innovation missions.