Department of Defense Unifies Force Development, Emerging Capabilities Divisions Into One Office

The Department of Defense has instituted a new office for force development and emerging capabilities to improve readiness against artificial intelligence and other new technologies. According to a department official, the move is part of a broad reorganization within the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s policy team.

Speaking to DefenseScoop, the spokesperson explained that the new unit is the result of a merger between the Emerging Capabilities Policy Office and Force Development Directorate. The official added that combining the two organizations ensures that DOD authority is maintained over the development of emerging capabilities aimed at building an advantage over adversaries.

The FD Directorate was previously located in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, which the spokesperson said can now refocus efforts on strategic alignment and articulation efforts.

Michael Horowitz, director of emerging capabilities policy, announced on Twitter that he would take the helm of the new office as deputy assistant secretary for force development and emerging capabilities. Before his new assignment, he contributed to updates to the DOD’s policies for buying and manufacturing weapons with autonomous capabilities.

Horowitz is expected to report to Mara Karlin, assistant secretary for strategy, plans and capabilities, DefenseScoop reported.