Advancing critical technologies for national security
Defense technology and innovation
As an implementer of nearly $51 million in DoD and military research awards (2022), ASU experts work to advance U.S. global leadership in defense technology in collaboration with academic and defense industry partners. ASU is meeting DoD needs across multiple Critical Technology Areas— from microelectronics and future generation wireless to cybersecurity and AI— and connecting the world of academic research and discovery to application in defense and on the battlefield.
ASU faculty and staff are also advancing new models that accelerate “lab-to-fab” innovation expressly designed around the DOD’s National Defense Strategy and White House National Security Strategy.
- Microelectronics
- Future Generation Wireless Technology
- Trusted AI and Autonomy
- Integrated Network System of Systems
- Space Technology
- Human-Machine Interfaces
- Integrated Sensing and Cyber
ASU’s approach to scaling national security research is supported by the university’s relationship with the National Security Innovation Network. ASU also maintains dedicated capabilities for rapid contracting of classified research.
The focal units driving ASU’s transdisciplinary approach to addressing DoD Critical Technology Areas are the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), which offer distinctive capabilities distributed across multiple centers, labs and research groups.
SWAP Hub: partnering with key defense stakeholders for microelectronics innovation
ASU leads the Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub, one of eight regional innovation hubs established by the DoD’s Microelectronics Commons initiative, which advances critical national security priorities around microelectronics technology and workforce training. Leveraging the capabilities of more than 130 defense industry, academic, government and nonprofit partners, the Hub delivers value to the DoD through flexible, scalable and rapid prototyping capabilities. The Hub’s ecosystem also draws upon a unique synergy of fabrication facilities and expertise at ASU and Sandia National Laboratories and brings capabilities across all six focus areas of the Microelectronics Commons initiative, including:
- Electromagnetic warfare
- Secure edge computing and the internet of things (IoT)
- Artificial intelligence hardware
- 5G/6G wireless technology
- Quantum technology
- Commercial leap-ahead technologies
Key initiatives advancing Critical Technology Areas
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
As the largest engineering college in the nation, the Fulton Schools of Engineering is a long-standing partner to the DoD and defense industries, providing expertise and capacity across multiple Critical Technology Areas. With seven distinct schools and more than 30,000 students enrolled, the Fulton Schools are at the forefront of engineering innovation focused on practical application.
Global Security Initiative
The Global Security Initiative develops solutions in mission-critical areas that support DoD and USG national security imperatives. Coordinating multiple defense-related capabilities across the university, GSI develops tools, technologies and programs in partnership with DoD and defense industry leaders. GSI experts also advise defense stakeholders on research, technology and policy. Executive Director Nadya Bliss is the chair of DARPA’s Information Science and Technology Study group, helping to inform DARPA of technological trends to inform future research and development.
Accelerating lab-to-fab transitions
ASU leads and collaborates with multiple regional and national networks of military, defense industry, academic and government partners. The university combines this network-of-networks approach with dedicated capabilities for rapid contracting of classified research, allowing for accelerated collaboration across diverse partners to develop new technology that meets DoD needs.