United States – Technology Performance Digest

United States Dual-Use Technology Performance and Trajectory Assessment

Date: 2025-06-08

Executive Summary

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the United States’ current performance and trajectory in key dual-use technologies, with a focus on the activities and contributions of leading organisations such as ARRIS Composites, Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, Databricks, MIT, and others. The analysis covers advanced manufacturing techniques, augmented reality, biometric authentication, blockchain, cloud and edge computing, composite materials, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital twins, machine learning, robotics, sensor networks, smart manufacturing, and wearable health tech.

The United States remains a global leader in the research, development, and deployment of dual-use technologies. Its strengths lie in a robust innovation ecosystem, world-class research institutions, and a vibrant private sector. However, challenges persist, including supply chain vulnerabilities, talent shortages, and increasing competition from peer and near-peer adversaries. Strategic investments and public-private partnerships are accelerating progress, but maintaining technological superiority will require sustained attention to emerging risks and opportunities.

Strengths

1. Advanced Manufacturing and Materials

The U.S. maintains a commanding lead in advanced-manufacturing-techniques and composite-materials development, driven by organisations like ARRIS Composites, Atomic-6 LLC, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, and academic hubs such as Rice Advanced Materials Institute (RAMI). The integration of smart-manufacturing and digital-twin-technology is catalyzed by the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute and research at MIT, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Pittsburgh Applied Research Center. These entities facilitate rapid prototyping, agile production, and the adoption of lightweight, high-strength materials critical for both defense and commercial applications.

2. Digital Technologies and Data Analytics

The U.S. excels in data-analytics, machine-learning, and cloud-computing, supported by tech leaders such as Databricks, CoreWeave, MotherDuck, and Vultr. The Texas Advanced Computing Center and university partners like UC San Diego School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences and University of Virginia School of Data Science drive foundational research and workforce development. The proliferation of edge-computing solutions (e.g., EdgeQ) enhances real-time data processing for defense, IoT, and autonomous systems.

3. Cybersecurity and Authentication

The U.S. is at the forefront of cybersecurity and biometric-authentication-systems, with innovation from HYPR, authID, Transmit Security, DAPPLE SECURITY, Illuma Labs, and Anonybit. These organisations pioneer zero-trust architectures, multi-factor authentication, and privacy-preserving identity solutions, reinforcing both national security and commercial trust.

4. Robotics and Sensor Networks

The U.S. robotics sector, led by Collaborative Robotics, The Bot Company, Skild AI, and the ARM Institute, is advancing human-machine teaming, autonomous systems, and next-generation sensor integration. The synergy with academic research (e.g., University of Southern California, University of Arkansas) ensures a steady pipeline of innovation in robotics and sensor-networks.

5. Blockchain and Distributed Systems

The U.S. remains a critical node in the global blockchain-technology ecosystem, with contributions from Aptos Labs, Avalanche, Securitize, and Synadia Communications. These organisations are developing secure, scalable, and regulatory-compliant platforms for supply chain, finance, and digital identity applications.

6. Wearable Health Tech

The convergence of healthcare and technology is exemplified by Avation Medical, Biolinq, Epicore Biosystems, and Twin Health, which are pioneering wearable-health-tech for continuous monitoring, diagnostics, and personalized medicine—benefitting both military personnel and civilian populations.

Weaknesses

1. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Despite domestic advancements, U.S. dual-use technology sectors remain exposed to global supply chain disruptions—particularly in critical minerals, semiconductors, and rare earth elements essential for composite-materials, sensor-networks, and edge-computing.

2. Talent Shortages

There is an acute shortage of skilled professionals in cybersecurity, machine-learning, and advanced-manufacturing-techniques. While universities such as MIT, UC San Diego School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences, and University of Virginia School of Data Science are expanding programs, demand continues to outpace supply.

3. Fragmented Standards and Interoperability

The rapid proliferation of blockchain-technology, biometric-authentication-systems, and digital-twin-technology has led to fragmented standards, complicating integration across defense and commercial systems. This is particularly evident in the adoption of augmented-reality and robotics platforms.

4. Cybersecurity Gaps

While U.S. organisations are leaders in cybersecurity, the attack surface continues to expand with the growth of edge-computing, cloud-computing, and IoT devices. Ensuring the security of distributed systems and critical infrastructure remains a persistent challenge.

5. Regulatory and Export Control Complexity

Stringent export controls and evolving regulations on dual-use technologies can slow commercialisation and international collaboration, particularly in blockchain-technology, biometric-authentication-systems, and wearable-health-tech.

Notable Programmes & Investments

1. Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives

2. Digital and Data Infrastructure

3. Cybersecurity and Authentication

4. Blockchain and Distributed Systems

5. Wearable Health and Biosensing

6. Academic and Research Collaborations

Competitive Comparison

United States vs. China

China continues to close the gap in advanced-manufacturing-techniques, machine-learning, robotics, and blockchain-technology, leveraging state-driven investment and industrial policy. However, the U.S. retains an edge in foundational research, private sector innovation, and international alliances. The U.S. advantage is most pronounced in cybersecurity, biometric-authentication-systems, and wearable-health-tech, where regulatory environments and privacy standards favor U.S. solutions.

United States vs. European Union

The EU excels in regulatory harmonization and privacy-centric biometric-authentication and blockchain-technology applications. However, the U.S. outpaces the EU in the scale of venture investment, speed of commercialisation, and integration of dual-use technologies into defense applications. U.S. organisations such as Databricks, CoreWeave, and ARM Institute demonstrate faster deployment cycles and greater agility.

United States vs. Other Competitors

Japan and South Korea are strong in robotics and sensor-networks, but the U.S. leads in AI integration and cross-domain innovation. Israel remains a cybersecurity powerhouse, but U.S. scale and diversity of applications provide a broader base for dual-use technology leadership.

Opportunities for Collaboration / Export

1. Allied Technology Sharing

The U.S. can deepen collaboration with Five Eyes partners and NATO allies in cybersecurity, biometric-authentication-systems, and cloud-computing. Joint ventures and technology sharing agreements can accelerate adoption and interoperability.

2. Export of Advanced Manufacturing Solutions

U.S. organisations like ARRIS Composites, Atomic-6 LLC, and ARM Institute are well-positioned to export advanced-manufacturing-techniques and composite-materials solutions to allied defense and aerospace industries, subject to export controls.

3. Global Health Tech Partnerships

Companies such as Avation Medical, Biolinq, and Twin Health can expand the reach of wearable-health-tech through partnerships with global health agencies and militaries, supporting force health protection and public health initiatives.

4. Blockchain and Digital Identity

U.S. blockchain leaders (Aptos Labs, Avalanche, Securitize) can collaborate with international financial institutions and governments to standardize and export blockchain-technology for secure transactions and supply chain integrity.

5. Academic and Research Exchanges

Expanding academic exchanges and joint research with leading universities in Europe, Asia, and Australia can accelerate progress in machine-learning, digital-twin-technology, and robotics.

Risks & Mitigation

1. Technological Overmatch by Adversaries

Risk: Rapid advances by China or other adversaries in AI, quantum, or advanced manufacturing could erode U.S. technological superiority.

Mitigation: Increase federal R&D funding, foster public-private partnerships, and accelerate the transition of emerging technologies from lab to field.

2. Supply Chain Disruption

Risk: Dependence on foreign sources for critical materials and components exposes U.S. dual-use sectors to disruption.

Mitigation: Incentivize domestic production, diversify suppliers, and invest in recycling and alternative materials research.

3. Cybersecurity Breaches

Risk: Expanding digital infrastructure increases vulnerability to cyberattacks targeting cloud-computing, edge-computing, and sensor-networks.

Mitigation: Mandate zero-trust architectures, continuous monitoring, and regular red-teaming of critical systems.

4. Talent Drain

Risk: Inadequate STEM workforce could slow innovation.

Mitigation: Expand STEM education, streamline immigration for technical talent, and invest in upskilling programs through universities and technical institutes.

5. Regulatory and Export Control Constraints

Risk: Overly restrictive controls could hinder commercialisation and international collaboration.

Mitigation: Modernize export control regimes, clarify dual-use definitions, and adopt risk-based approaches to technology transfer.

Outlook (5-year)

Over the next five years, the United States is poised to maintain its leadership in dual-use technologies, provided it addresses key vulnerabilities and sustains investment in innovation. The following trends are expected:

Conclusion:
The United States’ dual-use technology ecosystem is robust, adaptive, and well-positioned for continued leadership. However, success will depend on proactive risk management, sustained investment, and agile adaptation to a rapidly evolving global technology landscape. The organisations highlighted in this report are central to this trajectory and will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of U.S. defense and commercial technology capabilities.