Critical Technologies Initiative | Rochefort Asset Management

Program

The Critical Technologies Initiative is a joint effort between the Small Business Administration and the Department of War launched in December 2022

The primary policy objective of the Critical Technology Initiative is to attract private investment into areas deemed critical to national and economic security.

Priority Critical Areas We Serve

The Department of War has identified 14 critical areas vital to maintaining the United States’ national security. These have been grouped into three categories as found in the 2023 National Defense Science and Technology Strategy.

Effective Adoption Areas

Trusted AI & Autonomy

Microelectronics

Space Technology

Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems

Renewable Energy Generation & Storage

Human-Machine Interfaces

Advanced Computing & Software

Defense-Specific Areas

Hypersonics

Directed Energy

Integrated Sensing & Cyber

Seed Areas of Emerging Opportunity

Biotechnology

Advance Materials

Quantum Science

Future Generation Wireless Technology

Trusted AI & Automation

Artificial Intelligence (Al) is the software engineering discipline of expanding capabilities of software applications to perform tasks that currently require human intelligence. Machine learning is an engineering subfield of AI that trains software models using example data, simulations, or real-world experiences rather than by direct programming or coding. Autonomy is the engineering discipline that expands robots’ abilities to perform tasks while limiting the need for human interaction. AI holds tremendous promise to improve the ability and function of nearly all systems and operations. Trusted AI with trusted autonomous systems are imperative to dominate future conflicts. As AI, machine learning, and autonomous operations continue to mature, the DoW will focus on evidence-based AI-assurance and enabling operational effectiveness.

Microelectronics

Microelectronics are circuits and components that serve as the “brain” to human-made electronic functional systems. Virtually every military and commercial system relies on microelectronics. Diminishing microelectronics manufacturing in the United States and supply chain concerns have highlighted national economic and security risks. Working closely with industry, academia, and across the Government, the Department is addressing the need for secure microelectronics sources and will leverage state-of-the-art commercial development and production for defense microelectronic solutions.

Space Technology

Space technologies include space flight, Space communication and other technologies needed to maintain space operations. With rising threats and increasing dependence on space-based systems, the Department’s space strategy must shift away from exquisite satellites to a more robust and proliferated architecture. Novel space technologies are necessary to enable resilient cross-domain operations. The space strategy must incorporate technologies that enhance the Department’s adaptive and reconfigurable capabilities in space situational awareness, space control, communication path diversity, on-orbit processing, and autonomy

Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems

Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems technology encompasses the capability to communicate, provide real-time dissemination of information across the Department, and effective command and control in a contested electromagnetic environment. Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems capability must enable engagements by any sensor and shooter, with the ability to integrate disparate systems. An interoperable network that leverages emerging capabilities across the electromagnetic spectrum such as 5G, software defined networking and radios, and modern information exchange techniques will allow the Department to better integrate many diverse mission systems and provide fully networked command, control, and communication that is capable, resilient, and secure.

Renewable Energy Generation & Storage

Renewable energy generation and storage includes solar wind, bio-based and geothermal technologies, advanced energy storage, electronic engines, and power grid integration. Renewable energy generation and storage promises to decrease warfighter vulnerability and deliver new operational capabilities for the Department. From more efficient batteries to diversifying energy sources and reduced fuel transportation risks, renewable energy generation and storage will add resilience and flexibility in a contested logistics environment.

Human-Machine Interfaces

Human-Machine Interface refers to technologies related to human-machine teaming and augmented and virtual reality. Rapid advancements in this technology will have a multitude of benefits for our service members. Highly immersive realistic training environments provide real-time feedback to enhance warfighter performance. Intuitive & interactive human-machine interfaces enable rapid mission planning and mission command by providing a common operational picture to geographically distributed operations.

Advanced Computing & Software

Advanced computing and software technologies include supercomputing, cloud computing, data storage, computing architectures, and data processing. Software is ubiquitous throughout the Department, but the speed at which software develops outpaces the Department’s ability to stay up to date. The Department must rapidly modernize its legacy software systems with resilient, affordable, and assured new software that has been designed, developed, and tested using processes that establish confidence in its performance. The Department must migrate to a Development-Security-Operations (DevSecOps) approach in its software development and evolve to a model of continuous development, continuous test, and continuous delivery. The Department must leverage modular open system architecture approaches to isolate hardware from software and enable rapid upgrades to secure processors.

Hypersonics

Hypersonic systems fly within the atmosphere for significant portions of their flight at or above 5 times the speed of sound, or approximately 3700 miles per hour. Hypersonics dramatically shorten the timeline to strike a target and increase unpredictability. While strategic competitors are pursuing and rapidly fielding advanced hypersonic missiles, the DoW will develop leap-ahead and cost-effective technologies for our air, land, and sea operational forces.

Directed Energy

Directed Energy Weapons utilize lasers, high power microwaves, and high energy particle beams to produce precision disruption, damage, or destruction of military targets at range. Directed energy systems will allow the Department to counter a wide variety of current and emerging threats with rapid responses and engagement at the speed of light. High-power lasers and high-power microwave technologies both offer new ways to counter diverse sets of threats.

Integrated Sensing & Cyber

To provide advantage for the joint force in highly contested environments, the Department must develop wideband sensors to operate at the intersection of cyberspace, electronic warfare, radar, and communications. Sensors must be able to counter advanced threats and can no longer be stove-piped and single function.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is an emerging engineering discipline that uses living systems to produce a wide range of technologies and capabilities. From fighting global pandemics and avoiding surprises to reducing logistics and sustainment costs and increasing energy efficiency, biotechnology can help change the way the Department conducts missions, performs in contested logistics environments, and adapts to major global changes.

Advance Materials

Advanced materials explore innovative new materials and novel manufacturing techniques that can dramatically improve many of the Department’s capabilities. Materials that have higher strength, lighter weight, higher efficiency, and can handle more extreme temperatures will have the potential to better protect our service members and enhance their ability to accomplish their missions.

Quantum Science

Quantum Science is the study of physical properties at small, even atomic, scales. Defense applications include atomic clocks, quantum sensors, quantum computing, and quantum networks. Quantum science promises to enable leap-ahead capabilities. Quantum computing can provide unprecedented computational speeds and help solve the Department’s hardest analytical problems. Quantum sensors promise the ability to provide unprecedented accuracy in position, navigation, and timing. From more accurate information to faster decision making, to significantly stronger encryption capabilities, quantum science has the promise to deliver cutting-edge technology.

Future Generation Wireless Technology

FutureG is a suite of emerging wireless network technologies enabled by DoW and commercial industry cooperation to enable military operations and ensure a free and open internet. As Fifth Generation (5G) wireless technology is adopted and provides building blocks for capability, the DoW will also look to FutureG for leap-ahead technologies to lead in creating future standards. The Department will invest in FutureG technology development to lay the groundwork for continued United States leadership in information technology, which is vital for maintaining our economic and national security.

Do You Qualify?

Targeting U.S. Small Businesses in Critical Technology Areas

See NAICS Examples

Critical Technology Areas

We have a broad mandate to provide debt capital to emerging companies critical to our economic and national security
The DoW has identified fourteen critical technology areas for initial prioritization
Other industries critical to our national security are also eligible for investment

Eligible as a US Small Business

Based in the U.S. with > 51% of employees and tangible assets inside the U.S. (or for a “specific domestic purpose”)
AND
Average net income less than $8M for each of the past two fiscal years and
Tangible book value less than $24M
OR
Compliance with NAICS-based small business size standards based on annual receipts or employees

NAICS Examples

Software Publishers

NAICS code 513210
Maximum average annual receipts of $47.0 million

Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles

NAICS code 541715
Maximum number of employees of 1,300

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): A classification of business establishments by type of economic activity, found in the Code of Federal Regulations within the National Archives and Records Administration

NAICS Code: an annual receipts or number of employees test is provided

Computing Annual Receipts: The average of up to 5 years of historical information can be included, if available

Computing Employees: The average of up to 2 years of historical information can be included, if available

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Phone: 561-621-9815

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