General Dynamics is reshaping its approach to military technology development by fostering collaboration among companies. This initiative, led by two divisions of General Dynamics, aims to create a cooperative environment that accelerates the delivery of innovative solutions for the U.S. military.
This week, General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) inaugurated the Mission Emerge Center, a new 5,200 square-foot digital lab located just outside Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The facility is designed to facilitate the development of military technology in partnership with various companies, including cloud service providers. By showcasing new technologies in a dedicated space, GDIT hopes to present viable solutions to Pentagon officials, who often lack opportunities to see such innovations firsthand.
“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,” stated Amy Gilliland, GDIT’s president, during a press briefing on December 2, 2023. The center aims to create solutions and offer a “sandbox environment” where military representatives can interact with emerging technologies.
The creation of the Mission Emerge Center took over a year, aligning with the Pentagon’s increasing call for defense contractors to embrace greater risk. In a speech on November 7, 2023, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the urgency of innovation in response to rapidly evolving threats. “If we are going to prevent and avoid war, which is what we all want, we must prepare now,” he remarked, highlighting the need for faster responses to adversaries’ advancements.
GDIT is transitioning from being primarily an executor of enterprise IT to a leader in product development. This shift marks a significant evolution from “one-off partnerships with commercial companies” to establishing “strategic collaboration agreements,” according to Gilliland. Earlier this year, GDIT directed its emerging tech leaders to identify the Defense Department’s requirements and seek out innovative companies with promising technologies.
“Those partnerships can ultimately end up being a teaming arrangement. They could be an acquisition in the future,” Gilliland explained. She noted that the collaboration allows GDIT to leverage the research and development (R&D) budgets of commercial businesses while combining them with military expertise to enhance technological offerings.
The Mission Emerge Center does not charge companies for access, promoting a spirit of collaboration. This model reflects a growing trend within the defense sector, as the Pentagon seeks to engage smaller, non-traditional firms supported by private investors.
In a parallel effort, General Dynamics Land Systems, known for its combat vehicle production, plans to integrate into a co-working space catering to startups and investors in downtown Detroit. “We actually just recently signed to become a full member of Newlab, and we will start placing employees in the coworking space in the New Year,” said Scott Taylor, who leads business development for General Dynamics Land Systems.
Taylor noted that while security protocols at their Sterling Heights facility can hinder the sharing of emerging capabilities, the Newlab environment will facilitate collaboration. Recently, General Dynamics Land Systems hosted an event at Newlab for military leaders and drone companies to address challenges faced by ground troops, such as battery life and resupply issues.
“Senior leaders in the Army—from the secretary to the chief—have been encouraging industry to start self-organizing and bring a team of teams together to solve the Army and Marine Corps’ biggest problems,” Taylor stated. The event, known as the Maneuver Warfighter Industry Symposium, attracted defense technology companies including Anduril, Palantir, Autonodyne, and Primordial Labs.
The intention is to host more collaborative events in the future. Taylor emphasized the collective goal to support the needs of the U.S. military and its allies, while acknowledging that achieving collaboration requires careful consideration and effort.
“The sheer competition and potential for billions in contract dollars can mean that working together may be riskier than it sounds—even if there’s a common goal,” he remarked. “You fill a room with 24 companies, and some of them are competitors. They’re not always forthright in being very open…we recognize that that’s a part of the risk.”
As General Dynamics navigates these collaborative ventures, the challenge remains to assemble the right mix of companies that can ultimately deliver solutions the Pentagon is prepared to adopt. “Do we have the right team put together? Not yet,” Taylor concluded. “It’s still in development right now. How we formalize that consortium remains to be seen.”
