A breakthrough in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, or advanced manufacturing can change the battlefield quickly. Yet under traditional defense acquisition processes, it can take years to get that same technology into the warfighter's hands. By then, the technology may be outdated, or the threat it was designed to address may have changed entirely.

This is one of the biggest challenges facing the Pentagon today, and a major reason why Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) have become an increasingly important part of how the Department develops and acquires new capabilities.

A reported 90-day endurance goal will mean little unless bases can sustain combat missions and trustworthy local control when power, software and supply chains fail together.

A military base can keep its generators running for three months and still be unable to launch aircraft, move ammunition, repair equipment, or sustain medical care. Power may be available while a damaged water system, a failed supplier or a compromised control network makes the mission impossible. That is the distinction FORTRESS America must get right: mission endurance is not the same as electrical endurance.

King Croesus asked the Oracle of Delphi whether he should attack Persia. She told him a great empire would be destroyed if he attacked, so he did. Unfortunately, the empire destroyed was his own.

The Oracle wasn’t wrong because her prophecy was never specific enough to be wrong. Croesus misunderstood the prophecy because it wasn’t measurable.