Accelerating government R&D with private financing

Abstract

In this thesis, I argue that accelerating government research and development (R&D) with private financing could simultaneously improve the nation's war fighting readiness and economy. I submit that better utilization of United States Department of Defense (DoD) laboratories through alternative acquisition and development strategies can address current inefficiencies. I also suggest that public-private partnerships (PPPs) provide an opportunity to improve the nation's "technological innovation system." For-profit industries have much different business and funding models than the DoD. Entrepreneurial enterprises for bringing new technologies to the market abound. The questions addressed here are two-fold: (1) How can the business models and funding techniques from the private sector be effectively applied to a government organization such as the Naval Weapons and Armaments Center of Excellence (NWA CoE); and (2) Can a generalized and repeatable process in this domain be identified? I present a case for alternative financing for government R&D and I suggest that the NWA CoE is poised to experiment in this realm. I list many benefits of PPPs, but note that motivating Venture Capitalists or other non-traditional investors in government technology development efforts is a critical but challenging factor. I outline specific recommendations that NWA CoE management could implement in the near-term. With respect to a more generalized and repeatable process in the broader government domain, I suggest some long term recommendations.