Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Archives

Pentagon taps Northrop Grumman, True Anomaly for recon satellites that can monitor other space systems

The contract awards will support the GHOST-R initiative.

Sep 21, 2026 By Jon Harper

(Photo source: DIU social media post on X)

Pentagon unveils top performers in latest ‘Gauntlet’ for Drone Dominance Program

The department now plans to purchase a total of about 60,000 drones from those UAS vendors.

Sep 18, 2026 By Jon Harper

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine operates a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium in New York Harbor, June 16, 2026. Coast Guard crews provided an operational tour highlighting maritime security responsibilities throughout the Port of New York and New Jersey. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sydney Phoenix)

Gen. Caine urges industry to lean more into ‘shared risk’ when delivering tech for U.S. military

"When you look at the price of lethality right now, it's on an exponential decrease," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Sep 9, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

DIU, Honeywell Aerospace flight-test quantum sensing technology for aircraft navigation

The test involved a magnetic navigation (MagNav) system that was installed on an Embraer 170 jet that made a round-trip journey over the Pacific Ocean between Seattle's…

Sep 8, 2026 By Jon Harper

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare a first-person view small unmanned aircraft system during an FPV sUAS live fire demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 29, 2026. I MEF, in partnership with Defense Innovation Unit, evaluated fiber-optic drones for use in signal-degraded environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Bustamante)

DIU tries to transition tech to the frontlines faster with launch of new Bridge Program

The initiative marks the unit’s latest move under Owen West’s leadership to rapidly supply measurable combat power to the joint force.

Aug 20, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

Then-U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, stands in an F-15E Strike Eagle July 9, 2021, in an undisclosed location somewhere in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cameron Otte)

DIU’s first active-duty military deputy wants to help U.S. forces meet future fights ‘with swagger’

Two senior officials discussed the Defense Innovation Unit's plan to equip American forces with the right and best weapons, faster than ever before.

Jul 24, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

A target is hit by a first-person view small unmanned aircraft system strike during an FPV sUAS live fire demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 29, 2026. I Marine Expeditionary Force, in partnership with Defense Innovation Unit, evaluated fiber-optic drones for use in signal-degraded environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Bustamante)

In its next chapter, DIU aims to reduce the military’s ‘cost per kill’

In an exclusive interview with DefenseScoop, Owen West shared new details about his vision to reshape DIU’s operational structure to fit its modern mission.

Jul 15, 2026 By Brandi Vincent