Communications of the ACM
DARPA in 2014: Director Arati Prabhakar Looks Ahead
U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) director Arati Prabhakar says geopolitical context impacts the agency's execution of its mission to innovate cutting-edge military technology.
Credit: DARPA
In an interview, U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) director Arati Prabhakar says the agency has remained focused on its mission of innovating cutting-edge military technology since its inception in 1958.
"Every day we live in a world filled with technologies that trace their roots back to DARPA investments," Prabhakar says. "It's an old story, but a good and important story about investments we make because of national security needs and priorities that eventually blossom into the commercial world."
Prabhakar also notes that geopolitical context impacts DARPA's execution of its mission. For example, in 2014, DARPA's mission execution is likely to evolve due to the military drawdown following over a decade of war. Although traditional programs will continue to receive attention, other areas, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and treatment, are expected to grow as a focus. DARPA is working on technology to restore active memory damaged by TBI, as well as deep brain stimulation and neuro-psychological research and potential treatment known as SUBNETS.
Prabhakar says the three factors that will drive DARPA's missions in 2014 include the complicated national security environment, technology globalization and the need for agility, and a financial situation that will require DARPA to maximize its flat budget.
From Federal Computer Week
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