Preserving the American Edge: Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base
•February 20, 2026
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Why It Matters
A robust defense industrial base is essential for the United States to maintain a credible deterrent against rising great‑power rivals. Aligning industrial policy with acquisition reform ensures the military can field cutting‑edge technology at speed and scale.
Key Takeaways
- •Industrial mobilization historically underpins U.S. military superiority
- •China's rapid defense production threatens U.S. surge capacity
- •Acquisition bottlenecks limit commercial AI integration into defense
- •Army pilots modular, software‑driven designs for faster fielding
- •Clear demand signals and flexible contracts boost industrial resilience
Pulse Analysis
The United States has long leveraged a deep, flexible industrial base to translate scientific breakthroughs into battlefield advantage. From the massive shipyards of World II to the stealth aircraft of the Cold War, the partnership between government and private sector created a feedback loop that accelerated innovation and production. This historical synergy remains a benchmark for modern defense planners, illustrating how scale, expertise, and rapid mobilization can shape geopolitical outcomes.
Today, that model faces unprecedented strain. China’s state‑driven push to double its defense manufacturing output is compressing the strategic timeline for U.S. force modernization. Meanwhile, the Pentagon’s acquisition system—characterized by lengthy procurement cycles and rigid contracting—has struggled to absorb commercial advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and autonomous systems. Recent Army experiments with modular, software‑centric platforms aim to cut development time, but broader reforms are needed to align procurement incentives with the pace of civilian tech.
Policymakers are therefore urged to adopt a triad of solutions: sustained investment in critical supply chains, transparent demand forecasts that give industry confidence, and flexible contracting mechanisms that reward rapid scaling. By institutionalizing these changes, the United States can rebuild surge capacity, safeguard critical stockpiles, and ensure that commercial innovation directly fuels defense capabilities. In an era of intensified great‑power competition, such alignment could be the decisive factor that preserves America’s strategic edge.
Preserving the American Edge: Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base
Episode 147 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines the past, present, and future of America’s defense industrial base—and why its strength may determine the outcome of the next era of great power competition.
Drawing on historical experience and contemporary reforms, the episode argues that American military advantage has long depended on close collaboration between government and industry. From Roosevelt’s wartime mobilization to Cold War breakthroughs in stealth and reconnaissance, U.S. success has repeatedly flowed from its ability to harness commercial innovation and industrial scale. Today, however, that ecosystem faces mounting strain as China expands its manufacturing capacity and defense production at unprecedented speed.
The conversation highlights a central tension: while the United States retains unmatched technological depth—especially in commercial sectors such as artificial intelligence and advanced computing—much of that innovation remains only partially integrated into defense. Regulatory barriers, acquisition culture, and post–Cold War consolidation have narrowed the defense industrial base, limiting the military’s ability to tap the full breadth of American industry. In response, the U.S. Army is experimenting with faster acquisition cycles, commercial partnerships, and modular, software-driven designs that shorten timelines from concept to fielding while preserving the ability to scale production in a crisis.
Finally, the discussion addresses the policy implications of rebuilding industrial strength. Sustained investment, clearer demand signals to industry, and greater flexibility in budgeting and contracting are essential to restoring surge capacity and critical stockpiles. The guests emphasize that the costs of preparation are far lower than the costs of deterrence failure. For practitioners and policymakers alike, the episode highlights a simple but urgent message: preserving America’s military edge requires aligning industrial policy, acquisition reform, and technological innovation with the realities of renewed great power competition.
Dr. Alexander Miller is the Chief Technology Officer and Senior Advisor for Science and Technology to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. He holds a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a Doctorate of Technology from Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute.
Dr. Seth G. Jones is President of the Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). His work focuses on defense strategy, the defense industrial base, and irregular warfare. His book The American Edge: The Military Tech Nexus and the Sources of Great Power Dominance anchors this episode’s discussion.
Ben Jebb and Kyle Atwell host this episode. Please reach out to the Irregular Warfare Podcast team with any questions about the episode or the broader mission of the show.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast is a production of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI). We are a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners to support the community of irregular warfare professionals. IWI generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers in the field of irregular warfare as IWI fellows. You can follow and engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
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All views expressed in this episode are the personal views of the participants and do not represent those of any government agency or of the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project.
Intro music: “Unsilenced” by Ketsa
Outro music: “Launch” by Ketsa
Photo: Cover image generated using AI-assisted digital art tools.
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