Rapid problem-solving for defense challenges

Overcoming renewed national security threats from ever-changing adversaries

Our national security depends on becoming more innovative and putting new technology in the hands of our armed forces faster. ASU energizes the flow of new technology into the defense industry by mobilizing its researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Global Security Initiative

ASU’s Global Security Initiative addresses global security challenges in partnership with defense, security and diplomacy communities through multiple centers:

• Research at the Center for Accelerating Operational Efficiency (CAOE) helps the Department of Homeland Security improve efficiency and security at our national borders, ports and airports through better prediction and response to emergencies.

• To help address the long-term cybersecurity challenges facing the nation and the world, GSI’s Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations (CTF) aims to keep infrastructures, users and their data safe. CTF has a broad portfolio of governmentsponsored research from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research and the Army Research Office.

• The Center for Human, Artificial Intelligence, and Robot Teaming (CHART) is a multidisciplinary center leading the charge to develop methods to assemble the most effective human-synthetic agent teams in support of national security. CHART develops and deploys technologies, tools and best practices for the composition, training, management and evaluation of human, AI and robot teams working together in support of national security.

• The Center on Narrative, Disinformation and Strategic Influence (NDSI) fuses humanities and social science research with state-ofthe-art computer science and modeling to support efforts to safeguard the United States, its allies and democratic principles against malign influence campaigns. Adversaries use propaganda and disinformation to assault political will, manipulate public opinion and erode socio-political institutions, thereby weakening democracies.

National Security Academic Accelerator (NSA2)

NSA2 leverages ASU’s active presence in the defense innovation ecosystem to advance development of dual-use ventures capable of serving both commercial and defense markets. NSA2 is an ASU-led program sponsored by the National Security Innovation Network, an unrivaled problem-solving network in DOD that adapts to the emerging needs of those who serve in the defense of our national security. The accelerator provides training, coaching and financial support to advance ASU-led technology and solutions into startups that have commercial application and address national security needs. Our DOD partners are interested in solutions within technology verticals such as 5G communications, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic systems and more.

ASURE

ASU’s applied research and development arm, ASURE specializes in delivering programs, processes and strategies to rapidly drive ASU innovation into fully executed solutions for applied, classified and midrange technology-level challenges. Among its accomplishments, ASURE:

• Spearheaded research into threat actors’ motivations, means and methods of using microtargeting against U.S. interests, in collaboration with the DOD, U.S. Army, U.S. Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security.

• Partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps to design, develop, test and deliver lightweight ammunition packaging that reduced the burden on warfighters and increased operational capacity.

• Provided project management, content development and external partner relationship support for ASU’s K-12 microgrid education programs and training tools designed to create a future workforce pipeline for microgrid and advanced power systems careers.

Accelerating tech transfer

Skysong Innovations is the exclusive intellectual property management and technology transfer organization for ASU. Skysong Innovations works with faculty, investors and industry partners to translate ASU innovation into broad societal impact.

In fiscal year 2022, ASU innovators working with Skysong Innovations generated 305 invention disclosures, 166 U.S. patents and 21 new startup companies. Since its formation in 2003, Skysong innovations has received more than 4,400 invention disclosures from ASU researchers, culminating in more than 1,200 U.S. patents. To date, more than 200 startups have launched based on ASU innovations. These companies have attracted more than $1 billion in funding from venture capital firms and other investors.

Empowering entrepreneurs

ASU’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute is a connecting and collaborating resource for entrepreneurs at all stages across ASU and the local community. The Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute connects ventures with funding opportunities, mentoring, training and spaces to help turn ideas into reality. The Venture Vets program invites members of the military community and active duty military spouses to launch their ideas through Edson E+I Institute’s Venture Devils program.

A team of Luke Air Force Base airmen and ASU engineering researchers developed the Dynamic Unmanned Threat Emitter to train pilots to identify and respond to threats such as surface-to-air missiles.

Discovering innovative warfighting capabilities

In partnership with Luke Air Force Base, ASU researchers created a low-cost threat emitter (LCTE), a system that can realistically mimic threatening emissions from an array of potential enemy air systems for use in both training and to create a congested environment on the battlefield. Instead of costing millions of dollars like current threat emitters being used, the LCTEs cost in the thousands and can be easily moved and reconfigured. ASU secured funding from the DOD’s Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) to produce multiple LCTEs. RDER is a collaboration between the military services, combatant commands, industry and coalition partners with the aim of discovering new and innovative warfighting capabilities. ASU is the only university to receive RDER funds.

The McCain Institute at Arizona State University

Based in Washington, D.C., The McCain Institute focuses on impacting the nation’s and world’s most critical issues and discussions. The institute offers policy research, events, student internships and other activities committed to supporting American global leadership and humanitarian action and upholding democratic and human rights. The institute also seeks out and trains new national security leaders in the public, private enterprise and military spheres.

The Decision Theater convenes researchers, policymakers and the business community to better understand and explore solutions to complex issues facing society.

Decision Theater

Decision Theater (DT) is a research tool that enables informed, data-driven decision-making. DT models, visualizes and simulates complex local, national and international issues and systems to provide decision-makers greater understanding and opportunities to forecast consequences before decisions are made.

DT’s expert staff combines team science and decision science with capabilities such as highperformance computing, data analytics, software development, real-time modeling, gaming and data visualization. Subject matter experts from the university and around the globe collaborate to address and convene influencers and decisionmakers in an immersive, visualized environment. Remote sites, including ASU’s Decision Theater in Washington, D.C., foster expertise sharing.

Center on the Future of War

An ASU and New America collaboration, the center explores the social, political, economic and cultural implications of the changing nature of war and conflict. The center convenes more than a dozen faculty, 15 research fellows, 140 affiliated ASU faculty and more than 30 affiliated New America experts. It connects ASU with policymakers and national media, organizes collaborative research projects, produces reports and publications, and designs and implements innovative educational programming, including the online Master of Arts in global security in the School of Politics and Global Studies.

A collaboration between New America and the Center on the Future of War, New America’s Future of War project brings together thinkers and practitioners from the worlds of law, technology, political science, history, policy, the military and the media to address the challenges posed by changes in how wars are fought.

Flag Officer Advisory Council

Created in 2014, the council provides advice and perspective to ASU President Michael M. Crow, faculty, staff and students on matters of national significance. Council members include retired military generals and admirals from the U.S. Army,

Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. These distinguished leaders have served at the highest levels of government, both at home and abroad, to combat terrorism, respond to national disasters and defend the homeland. They have developed strategy, led diverse organizations and worked with national and international counterparts to address the nation’s most complex and critical problems. Their vast areas of expertise include complex decision-making, strategic planning, business development, operational management, communications, health policy, disaster and crisis management, supply chain, leadership and character development, ROTC and student mentorship, veteran legal advice, and serving as subject matter expert lecturers.