America’s arsenal of democracy needs a software renaissance
By Dr. Mung Chiang, Mark Esper and Christine Fox
Mar 28, 2025, 03:00 PM
In 1940, as Europe descended into chaos and the specter of war loomed, the U.S. faced an urgent need to rearm and prepare for conflict. Within a few short years, the nation transformed itself into the “Arsenal of Democracy,” producing weapons, vehicles and munitions on an unprecedented scale. This industrial mobilization did more than supply the Allied forces — it showcased America’s unmatched ability to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Today, the stakes are also critical. The global security environment is undergoing seismic shifts, with threats evolving at a speed and scale unseen since the Cold War. Yet, unlike the industrial mobilization of the past, the modern battlefield is defined not only by hardware but also by the ability to leverage software–systems capable of adapting at speed and precision, processing vast amounts of data and enabling real-time decision-making.
To meet today’s challenges, the U.S. must modernize its industrial base and embrace a new approach to software: software-defined warfare (SDW). By prioritizing software as a core enabler of military capability, the Defense Department can enhance its ability to adapt, improve interoperability and ensure its continued technological edge in the face of rapid advancement.
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2025/03/28/americas-arsenal-of-democracy-needs-a-software-renaissance/
