Bill > HR7323

This bill, the Defense Technology Hubs Act of 2026, mandates the Secretary of Defense to establish a network of regional "defense technology hubs" across the United States to accelerate the development and adoption of advanced technologies for national security. These hubs will be formed by "eligible consortia," which are partnerships involving universities, defense contractors, small businesses, non-profits, research entities, and state or local governments, and will be anchored by existing "anchor Federal defense institutions" like military bases or research facilities. The program aims to foster collaboration, attract talent, and leverage regional strengths to advance "emerging technologies" such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonics, with a goal of designating at least ten hubs within three years of the bill's enactment. The Secretary will solicit applications from these consortia based on criteria including their technological capabilities, regional collaboration, presence of defense institutions, and innovation ecosystems, and will provide grants to support their operations, research, prototyping, and security measures, while ensuring intellectual property rights are managed to balance national security and commercial interests. The bill also authorizes significant funding for the program and requires annual reporting and independent evaluations to assess its effectiveness and ensure it complements, rather than duplicates, existing defense innovation efforts.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7323/all-info