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Description

This commentary examines how the Department of War’s six designated Critical Technology Areas: Applied Artificial Intelligence, Biomanufacturing, Contested Logistics Technologies, Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance, Scaled Directed Energy, and Scaled Hypersonics are collectively transforming military operations. Rather than focusing only on the individual capabilities of these technologies, the author argues that their most strategic value lies in convergent integration across domains and conflict phases. When combined, these technologies can accelerate decision-making, sustain forces in contested environments, enhance sensing and strike capabilities, and optimize operational logistics. The article highlights how integrated technology effects can reshape both kinetic and non-kinetic warfare, challenge traditional definitions of combat, and demand new doctrinal, ethical, and legal frameworks.

Document Type

Article

Topic(s)

Emerging Science and Technologies, Defense Policy, National Security

Region(s)

United States

Publication Date

11-18-2025

Keywords

convergent critical technologies, warfighting transformation, applied artificial intelligence, biomanufacturing, contested logistics, quantum information dominance, directed energy, hypersonics, military innovation, emerging defense technology, strategic competition, integrated warfare, 21st-century combat

Convergent Critical Technologies Part 1: The Integrative Transformation of Warfighting

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