Quantum Science A Key Technology Focus of NDIA’s New Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI)

(NationalDefenseMagazine) The National Defense Industrial Association officially kicked off its new Emerging Technologies Institute July 26.
ETI — which is being led by Executive Director Dr. Mark Lewis, the former acting deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering and director of defense research and engineering for modernization — will focus on key technology areas including artificial intelligence; autonomy; biotechnology; cyber; directed energy; command, control and communications; hypersonics; microelectronics; quantum science; space; and “5G to Next G.”
“NDIA has leaned forward to do something that is truly at the nexus here of national security and economic security, making sure that we are implementing critical technologies to close gaps that we have in warfighting today,” she said during a meeting with reporters.
Speaking during the event, Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stressed the need for an organization such as ETI.  “To counter adversaries, the Defense Departments needs help from organizations such as the Emerging Technologies Institute “that actually gets us focused on where we need to go,” Hyten said.
ETI wants to harness the power of small businesses as it works with industry. National Defense Industrial Association CEO Hawk Carlisle said the association is particularly well positioned to do so because most of its members are small businesses.