Table of Content
The ongoing unprovoked war of Russia against Ukraine and the battlefield in the Gaza Strip have already shown that modern military operations are very far from what they used to be during the last big military conflicts from the perspective of innovations. Considering this and the fact that there are many other tension points on our planet, governments all across the globe started reforming their armed forces and exploring new avenues in defense technology. As a result, it was reported that global military expenditures have increased by 3.7% over 2022-2023, which is the biggest growth in this sector over the last 30 years.
What’s more interesting is that modern conflicts have shown that private companies have more potential for growth and innovation in the military sector than state-owned enterprises. More than that, considering real evidence, our experts can conclude that those private companies tend to be multi-oriented thanks to the flexibility of different software products. This suggests a new avenue for startups. Continuing our series of start up requests from Y Combinator, we are going to take a closer look at the current trends in defense technology.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is becoming a global trend across all industries, and defense technology is no exception. In the military context, the usefulness of AI-based solutions is seen from the perspective of reshaping intelligence and surveillance operations. Also, the capabilities of artificial intelligence allow increasing the efficiency of autonomous weapon systems and decreasing casualties among personnel. In addition to being efficient on the battlefield itself, AI might be leveraged to enhance military manufacturing procedures.
The Axon Vision startup is a great example of how AI-based technology can enhance the decision-making process in the military context. It leverages computer vision to quickly and autonomously identify the situation around ground vehicles and spot potential threats, minimising potential damage in real time.
The Axon Vision concept resembles the idea of the US-based startup called Rebellion, which also utilises the capabilities of artificial intelligence and machine learning to scan the environment and identify potential threats. In addition to this, Rebellion also works on a project that helps to outplay enemies in the cyber sphere. The software solution is called Nova. Since modern warfare is conducted not only on the battlefield but in the virtual space as well, it’s vital to have full control over one’s networks, and more startups will appear in the niche.
As you see, modern military technologies heavily rely on software products. However, if you’re running a new startup, it might be irrelevant to launch your product before you know the real value it might bring to the table. We suggest that regardless of the niche of operation, startups should explore the possibility of testing their concepts through MVP development. This might allow you to see the potential vulnerabilities of the product before launching it to the military tech market.
Robotics
The military’s focus on advancing robotics technologies is rapidly expanding. Projections indicate that the market for military robots is poised to soar, with estimates predicting a staggering $24.2 billion valuation by 2025, reflecting an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 11%.
Recent reports reveal substantial investments by the Department of Defense (DoD), with expenditures reaching a notable $7.5 billion in 2021 alone. Notably, the US Army has significantly bolstered its robotics budget over the past six years, witnessing a remarkable surge from $17 million in 2015 to a staggering $379 million in 2021. This substantial increase underscores the growing importance and reliance on robotics within military operations, with the army currently spearheading 20 robotics initiatives.
Military robots play a pivotal role in combat scenarios for various compelling reasons. Foremost among these is their capacity to undertake hazardous tasks that pose potential risks to human life, thus mitigating the likelihood of casualties among personnel. Moreover, robots boast a myriad of capabilities that surpass human limitations, including round-the-clock operational readiness, omnidirectional vision, instantaneous data processing, and more.
At Tyndall Air Force Base, innovative applications of robotics are already underway, exemplified by the deployment of robotic dogs for ground patrols. These mechanised sentinels offer enhanced surveillance and security capabilities, patrolling the premises tirelessly and bolstering perimeter defense measures.
3D Printing
Additive manufacturing, more commonly referred to as 3-D printing, is revolutionising military applications, offering a host of innovative opportunities. In a significant development, the Department of Defense unveiled its inaugural strategy for additive manufacturing in January 2021, marking a pivotal moment in the integration of this cutting-edge technology within military frameworks.
The strategy outlines a comprehensive approach for leveraging 3D printing to modernise systems, bolster readiness, and foster innovation across military branches. One notable application of additive manufacturing by the US Army involves the production of novel munitions, with expectations of achieving heightened velocity, extended range, and enhanced penetration capabilities compared to conventional counterparts.
Amidst challenges such as supply chain disruptions and heightened operational requirements, the US Navy is grappling with shortages of critical components such as castings, forgings, and fittings for its submarines. In response to these constraints, the Navy is exploring additive manufacturing as a viable solution to address supply chain vulnerabilities and ensure the timely availability of essential parts.
By embracing additive manufacturing, military forces are poised to unlock a new era of agility, flexibility, and resilience in equipment manufacturing and maintenance. With ongoing advancements in 3D printing technology and strategic investments in additive manufacturing capabilities, the military is well-positioned to overcome supply chain challenges, enhance operational readiness, and maintain technological superiority in an increasingly complex and dynamic global landscape.
Drones
Facing the unprovoked aggression of Russia, the Ukrainian government started a unique project called the Army of Drones. In a nutshell, the purpose of this project is to use money donated to the United 24 platform to engage and support startups manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles on the Ukrainian market. According to recent reports, the initiative has engaged 200 startups in manufacturing drones, and 67 models have already been contracted by the Ukrainian army. The growth is unparalleled if you consider that in 2022 only 7 models were contracted.
The Ukrainian war shows that drones have unparalleled capabilities on the battlefield, and new heights can be achieved with further innovations. It’s believed that integration of military drones with AI-based solutions can provide the following advantages:
- Autonomous Navigation: Startups that will find a way to leverage the cutting-edge navigational capabilities of AI for the use of drones will definitely find their place in the market. Such an innovation will enable militaries to eliminate the probability of manual mistakes, increasing the overall efficiency of operations and assuring more successful endings for complex missions. This avenue should also be reviewed from the prospect of better decision-making. An ordinary pilot cannot spot radio threats but AI has such potential. This will help drones to detect traps and avoid them with minimum damage.
- High-Resolution Images: In modern warfare, drones are used not only as strike weapons that can autonomously detect the target and hit it. It is also important to realise the potential of drones in terms of military intelligence. Although they are already used for these purposes, there’s still room for improvement in that sector. Leveraging high-resolution imaging, the users of military drones will be able to capture detailed images of important objects. Further prospects go to the identification of exact individuals in the crowd, which will provide information of unparalleled quality in real time.
- Extended Air Time: The evolution of battery and propulsion technologies has ushered in a new era of extended air time for drones, revolutionising their capabilities in surveillance missions. With advancements in these areas, drones can now stay aloft for unprecedented durations, with some models boasting the ability to remain operational for multiple days without the need for refueling or landing. In the realm of border surveillance, this extended air time represents a significant advancement in military capabilities. Imagine a scenario where a military drone equipped with cutting-edge battery and propulsion technology embarks on a long-duration patrol along a vast and potentially hostile border. Continuously scanning the terrain below, the drone serves as a vigilant sentry, tirelessly monitoring for signs of illegal crossings, smuggling activities, or enemy intrusions.
However sad and unfair it might seem, warfare has always led to unique innovations and opened a lot of prospects for further growth in numerous industries. The 21st century is no exception. These days, we should fully realize that tech solutions revolutionise not only fintech, e-commerce, entertainment, education, and other civil landscapes. Innovations in those industries will inevitably lead to their implementation in the military sector. Thus, modern startups can introduce their military innovations and contribute to the further growth of the defense technology sector. And if you want to run one of such startups successfully, it’s better to rely on trustworthy partners.