U.S. Government and Military

By design, DARPA reaches for transformational change instead of incremental advances, but DARPA does not perform its engineering alchemy in isolation. It works within an innovation ecosystem that includes academic, corporate and governmental partners, with a constant focus on the Nation’s military Services, which work with DARPA to create new strategic opportunities and novel tactical options.

To accelerate the adoption of its new technologies, DARPA works closely with partners across the Defense Department’s Science and Technology (S&T) community.  Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines all are integral to DARPA’s day-to-day decisions and long-range research efforts. From GPS satellites to MEMS technology, from rockets to the M-16 rifle, DARPA stands shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. warfighter.

DARPA’s Adaptive Execution Office (AEO) is chartered to accelerate the transition of game-changing DARPA technologies into Department of Defense capabilities. AEO provides the Agency with robust connections to the warfighter community and assists the Agency with the planning and execution of technology demonstrations and field trials to promote adoption by the warfighter.

Liaisons from each branch of military Service are also assigned to the Director’s Office at DARPA. Their critical duties include maintaining DARPA’s connection to their respective military Service and/or Agency and assisting with the transition of DARPA technology to the Services. DARPA’s Operational Liaisons are often the best first points of contact for members of the military Services wishing to contact DARPA. Service members with technical questions or needs are encouraged to contact their respective Liaison, who can refer inquiries to program managers as appropriate.

DARPA further raises awareness of its work among the Services through the Service Chiefs Fellows Program, an orientation program run four times throughout the year. This three-month fellowship provides participants with insight into cutting-edge technology while potentially facilitating the development of future DARPA technologies.

DARPA also works closely with other federal government entities within the science and technology ecosystem, including national laboratories, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), military Service research organizations and laboratories. These and other key partners enable DARPA to achieve its mission of developing breakthrough technologies for national security.

DARPA's Legislative Affairs (LA) Office facilitates a cooperative and productive relationship between DARPA and Congress. Our LA staff supports DARPA leadership and program managers by coordinating budgetary and programmatic briefings as well as congressional testimony.