The New U.S. Defense Technology Strategy: Underwater Dominance First, AI and Space as Second Tier

On August 17, 2026, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the "National Security Science and Technology Strategy," introducing a comprehensive prioritization framework aimed at securing U.S. military dominance on the battlefield. What are the underlying intentions behind this document, and how might it reshape the existing global power structure?

The strategy document, titled "Make America Great Again," identifies three core domains: underwater warfare, space operations, and artificial intelligence (AI). It emphasizes that the United States must firmly control these areas while maintaining technological leadership in air combat and command-and-control systems.

The strategic document also outlines key enabling technologies: 3D printing, hypersonic systems, and disruptive technologies such as quantum computing. The plan calls for attracting top-tier technical talent, protecting core secrets through counterintelligence and cybersecurity measures, and exploring new operational models for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Overall, the document underscores America’s ambition to sustain technological hegemony and safeguard its indigenous defense technology capabilities.

Counting on Startup Innovation Enterprises

The White House’s new strategy sends positive signals to defense innovators, expanding market opportunities for defense-focused startups and pushing the military to abandon traditional procurement models in favor of more efficient, higher-flexibility mechanisms with greater tolerance for failure. New regulations lower entry barriers for emerging enterprises, revise export control rules, and streamline processes for companies to engage federal agencies. The strategy aims to break down bureaucratic obstacles, accelerate arms procurement timelines, and allow startups to conduct real-world testing of their self-developed equipment overseas.

Betting on Military Applications of Artificial Intelligence

The document places strong emphasis on advancing AI integration into defense systems, reinforcing U.S. leadership in this domain. The Pentagon plans to implement seven core projects—such as “Swarm Forging” and intelligent agent networks—to enhance AI-driven autonomy and build an intelligent combat system. However, deploying AI in field environments still faces significant shortcomings, with challenges in massive data processing and communication reliability remaining unresolved. To successfully deploy military AI, reforms to military management structures and combat doctrines are needed, alongside recognition of human value in actual combat scenarios.

Extending Defense Rivalry into Outer Space

The updated U.S. strategy significantly restructures space defense posture, covering low Earth orbit and lunar vicinity airspace. Space-based technologies serve critical functions in communications, reconnaissance, and navigation, making this domain increasingly competitive among major powers. Beyond leveraging satellite resources, the U.S. aims to develop capabilities to detect and neutralize potential threats in low Earth orbit and around the Moon. Priority is given to low-cost launch solutions, reusable rockets, and crewed spaceflight technologies to ensure stable, controllable, and sufficiently scalable space industry supply chains.

Underwater Warfare Given Top Priority

In this strategy, underwater warfare technology ranks even higher than artificial intelligence. The U.S. seeks absolute technological superiority in underwater domains, developing long-endurance unmanned underwater combat platforms like the “Ocean Explorer.” The Pentagon has already finalized orders for nuclear-powered submarines and is simultaneously expanding defense manufacturing capacity. The ultimate goal of this entire strategy is to leverage comprehensive battlefield technological advantages to maintain America’s global leadership.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875376932801536/

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