The Defense Department on Tuesday opened the second office of its technology “startup”—the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental—in Boston to increase outreach between the Pentagon and the tech community. The office includes leaders from organizations such as MIT who are focused on identifying new technologies for DOD and on engaging with existing startups to encourage them to focus on national security. “For those interested in foreign policy and national security, there are lots of interesting challenges and problems to work on,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in unveiling the new office on Tuesday. Chief Science Officer Bernadette Johnson, former chief technology officer at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratories and military lead for Air Force Reserve Col. Mike McGinley, will lead the office. Like the Silicon Valley office, which was established last year, it will include three teams: a venture team to identify existing commercial technology the Pentagon could use, a foundry team to identify coming technologies that could require additional development or adaptation for the military, and an engagement team to introduce innovators to national security challenges.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
