War Department refocuses on AI, hypersonics and directed energy in major strategy overhaul

"As the Department of War's Chief Technology Officer, I am statutorily charged with the mission of advancing technology and innovation for the armed forces," Michael wrote in a Nov. 13 memorandum to senior Pentagon and combatant command leadership. "The previous list of fourteen CTAs did not provide the focus that the threat environment of today requires."

The six areas - Applied Artificial Intelligence, Biomanufacturing, Contested Logistics Technologies, Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance, Scaled Directed Energy and Scaled Hypersonics - will be advanced through rapid "sprints" designed to move emerging technologies from prototype to production.

Officials say the shift will reshape how intelligence is processed, how logistics are managed and how weapons systems are deployed.

"In alignment with President Trump's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan, the Department of War must become an 'AI-First' organization," Michael wrote. "When adopted rapidly, AI will fundamentally transform the Department from the enterprise-level, to intelligence synthesis and to warfighting."

Michael's plan emphasizes resilience and self-sufficiency on the battlefield. Biomanufacturing will create bio-based materials to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, while Contested Logistics Technologies will help U.S. forces sustain operations in contested or denied environments.

The goal, he said, is to ensure troops can fight and resupply even when traditional lines are cut. Each new technology area is meant to reinforce that capability.

Each effort depends on close coordination between the Pentagon, private industry and allied militaries to ensure the technologies reach the field quickly.

"Executing these sprints will require unprecedented coordination between the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, military departments, combatant commands and other Office of the Secretary of War components," Michael said. "I am committed to working with you and our partners inside and outside of the Department on these efforts."