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Software-defined warfare: A blueprint for sustaining a competitive military edge

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security • 27-Mar-2025

SOFTWARE-DEFINED WARFARE: A BLUEPRINT FOR SUSTAINING A COMPETITIVE MILITARY EDGE - China and Russia are adapting to rapid advances in modern technology that could shift military power dynamics. While the United States leads in cutting-edge commercial technology—like low-cost drones, autonomy, and artificial intelligence—its military and defense institutions are not built to adopt these innovations quickly. To stay ahead of adversaries in an era driven by software and emerging technologies, the Department of Defense (DoD) must modernize its approach to capability development and procurement.

This new report presents a software-defined warfare approach, offering recommendations for the DoD to adopt modern software practices and seamlessly integrate them into existing platforms to enhance and strengthen defense strategies.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 03/27/2025

Cast
Mark T. Esper 27th Secretary of Defense; Atlantic Council
Christine H. Fox Former Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense; Atlantic Council
Mung Chiang President, Purdue University; Atlantic Council
Colin Demarest Future of Defense Reporter, Axios
Steven Escarvage EVP, Booz Allen Hamilton; Atlantic Council
Paul Kwan Managing Dir., Global Resilience Practice, General Catalyst; Atlantic Council
Ellen Lord Fmr. Under SecDef for Acquisition and Sustainment, US DOD; Atlantic Council
Tyler Sweatt CEO, Second Front Systems; Atlantic Council
Stephen Rodriguez Senior Advisor, Forward Defense, SCSS, Atlantic Council
Whitney McNamara Senior Fellow, Forward Defense, SCSS, Atlantic Council
Peter Modigliani Senior Advisor, Govini
Tate Nurkin Sr. Fellow, Forward Defense, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, Atlantic Council
Clementine G. Starling-Daniels Director, Forward Defense, SCSS, Atlantic Council
Matthew Kroenig VP and Sr. Director, SCSS, Atlantic Council
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