Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Archives

Aerial view of the Department of Defense. (Getty Images)

DIU, NorthCom partner up to confront the military’s ‘most pressing’ counter-drone challenges

The Defense Innovation Unit and U.S. Northern Command are set to launch two opportunities Monday that are designed to accelerate the military’s access to capabilities that can…

3 days ago By Brandi Vincent

DIU taps 4 vendors — including Ukrainian firms — for long-range kamikaze drones

The program — dubbed Artemis — was initiated in response to emerging trends on modern battlefields across the world.

Mar 14, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

DIU, Air Force move forward with 2 vendors to next phase of Enterprise Test Vehicle program

DIU and the Air Force are eyeing the ETV platform for a program that looks to develop a palletized munition weapon system.

Mar 5, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

Watchdog spotlights need for clear metrics to assess DIU’s impacts as it matures

The Government Accountability Office examined the Defense Innovation Unit’s effectiveness in identifying and fielding industry-built technologies at scale.

Feb 27, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

With growing presence, DIU continues efforts to lower barriers for new entrants

“I think now we’re in an even better position to focus on what the big rocks are, which are really around how do we lower the barriers…

Jan 3, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

DIU moves to accelerate military-enabling batteries, counter supply chain strains

DefenseScoop was briefed on the latest plans for a new line of effort in the Defense Innovation Unit's energy portfolio.

Dec 13, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks boards the USS Constellation in Baltimore, Md. Sept. 20, 2024, for the naming ceremony of the future submarine USS Baltimore. Hicks accepted the offer of becoming the sub’s sponsor from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

DOD taps ‘integrated software enablers’ to help fully realize ambitious Replicator plans

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks shed new light on the initiative and capabilities it is accelerating.

Nov 13, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

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