•A 90-day review of U.S. defense labs identified systemic challenges, including aging infrastructure, hindering advanced technology development.
•Thirty site visits revealed researchers are forced to develop 21st-century technologies in facilities designed during the 'cathode-ray tube' era.
•This modernization effort aims to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge defense technologies, impacting R&D, national security, and tech infrastructure investment.
•A 90-day review of U.S. defense labs identified systemic challenges, including aging infrastructure, hindering advanced technology development.
•Thirty site visits revealed researchers are forced to develop 21st-century technologies in facilities designed during the 'cathode-ray tube' era.
•This modernization effort aims to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge defense technologies, impacting R&D, national security, and tech infrastructure investment.