National Defense Authorization Act Passes House and Senate with Significant Funding for Research and Development

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for FY19 (NDAA) was recently sent to the President after being approved by both the House and Senate. The NDAA, which authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD), includes several directives for innovation and research.

The bill stipulates the creation of a National Defense Science and Technology Strategy, along with stronger coordinated defense research initiatives in artificial intelligence and quantum information science. It allocates over $300 million in funding towards research and development (R&D), including over $10 million in quantum information science and $15 million for microelectronics research and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Electronics Resurgence Initiative. It also grants $75 million to Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael D. Griffin’s office to strengthen relations between DOD, academia, and the commercial technology industry to encourage more private sector investment in the development of new defense technologies.

“This year’s NDAA represents an important opportunity to implement an effective approach to confront a growing array of threats around the world. The administration’s National Defense Strategy outlined a framework for identifying and prioritizing these threats. Through the NDAA, Congress is fulfilling its duty to provide America’s service members the resources and tools they need to succeed. I thank my colleagues for supporting this much-needed legislation and I look forward to the President quickly signing it into law,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ).

To view the full NDAA, click here: https://tinyurl.com/ydg7h4a8