The Center for a New American Security unveiled an initiative on Monday to explore how the US military can preserve its technological edge as it faces declining budgets for the foreseeable future. “The Beyond Offset project aims to build a community of interest that will examine the challenges of US technology strategy and advance candidate solutions for the Pentagon and industry,” reads the think tank’s release. The project is co-chaired by William Lynn, former deputy defense secretary and current CEO of Finmeccanica North America, and CNAS CEO Michele Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy. In order to support the Defense Department’s efforts to invest in innovative technologies in the coming years, “Beyond Offset” will release a number of reports, co-host discussions and debates, and convene a variety of public events. The project builds on CNAS’ “Creative Disruption” task force that examined the future of the global defense and aerospace industry.
U.S. munitions have been expended at a high rate during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, prompting concerns that the Pentagon is eating into weapons stockpiles it needs to deter threats around the world. Yet the newly released $1.5 trillion defense budget request was developed before the war against Iran and…