General Dynamics is changing the landscape of military technology development by transforming competitors into collaborators. The company has opened the Mission Emerge Center, a new 5,200 square-foot digital lab outside Fort Belvoir, Virginia, aimed at accelerating the creation and demonstration of advanced military technology in partnership with various companies.
The facility’s primary objective is to foster innovation in military applications by working closely with other firms, including cloud service providers. According to Amy Gilliland, president of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), this new space provides an opportunity to showcase cutting-edge technologies that may not be effectively demonstrated in the usual Pentagon settings. “I’ve spent a lot of time in my life in uniform—and not in uniform—in the Pentagon, and there isn’t the opportunity in the Pentagon to showcase this…to demonstrably show how it works,” Gilliland stated during a press briefing on December 2.
This initiative aligns with the Pentagon’s increasing demand for defense contractors to assume greater risks in developing new capabilities. Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, articulated this need during a speech on November 7, emphasizing the urgency of innovation to counter potential threats. “If we are going to prevent and avoid war, which is what we all want, we must prepare now… Our adversaries are moving fast,” he highlighted.
The Mission Emerge Center marks a significant shift in GDIT’s strategy, transitioning from a strong focus on traditional enterprise IT to developing innovative products. The company is moving towards establishing strategic partnerships rather than one-off arrangements. Gilliland noted, “Those partnerships can ultimately end up being a teaming arrangement. They could be an acquisition in the future.”
GDIT has tasked its new leaders in the emerging tech sector with a clear mission: to comprehend the needs of the Department of Defense and identify promising technology startups that can meet those requirements. “What I am leveraging is the R&D budgets of commercial companies, together with the mission understanding and expertise of this workforce and my technologists to bring forward the best that commercial tech has,” Gilliland explained.
In addition to the Mission Emerge Center, General Dynamics Land Systems is taking a different approach by joining a co-working space in downtown Detroit, known as Newlab. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration with startups and investors. “We actually just recently signed to become a full member of Newlab,” said Scott Taylor, who leads business development for General Dynamics Land Systems. “The security protocols of the defense company compound can be daunting at times… It can slow that ability to share emerging capabilities from the commercial sector back into the defense sector.”
General Dynamics Land Systems recently hosted an event at Newlab, bringing together military leaders, investors, and drone companies to discuss challenges faced by ground troops. The inaugural Maneuver Warfighter Industry Symposium included representatives from defense tech firms such as Anduril and Palantir, aiming to explore solutions for critical issues like battery life and resupply.
The collaboration between these companies reflects a shared commitment to supporting the needs of the U.S. military and allied forces. Taylor noted the importance of fostering effective teamwork, stating, “How we achieve that collaboration requires a little bit more thought and mature effort.”
As General Dynamics navigates the complexities of working with multiple industry players, the potential for billions in government contracts adds an element of competitive tension. “You fill a room with 24 companies, and some of them are competitors… we recognize that that’s a part of the risk,” Taylor remarked.
While the demand for innovative solutions is evident, forming the right mix of companies to meet Pentagon expectations will take time. “Do we have the right team put together? Not yet. It’s still in development right now,” Taylor concluded.
Through these initiatives, General Dynamics is not only redefining its approach to military technology but also laying the groundwork for a more interconnected defense industry, capable of responding swiftly to evolving threats.
