DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY

 

 

INSS research focuses on the following disruptive technologies that enhance warfighter capabilities, readiness, and survivability; and which are being employed to shape the future operational environment and character of warfare. Biotechnology and biomanufacturing enable rapid production of critical supplies, and afford warfighters optimized capability to function in a range of operational settings and battlescapes. Directed energy systems provide precision responses to counter emerging threats of drones, hypersonic missiles, and adversaries use of advanced surveillance methods. Artificial intelligence integrates and enables use of vast data to improve information acquisition, analyses operational and decision-making. Autonomous systems extend operational reach and increase force capability and economy while reducing risk to personnel; and quantum technologies afford unprecedented sensing, communication, and computing capabilities to maximize mission effectiveness in contested environments. Together, these innovations fortify the joint warfighter, reduce vulnerabilities, enhance mission effectiveness, and provide decisive advantage in modern and future warfare.

Research and Commentary

A Black Widow drone manned by an Indiana National Guard Soldier, assigned to 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry Regiment, flies in the air during a Combat Readiness Exercise at Muscatatuck Training Center, near Butlerville, Indiana, July 24, 2026. The exercise validates the Indiana National Guard’s ability to rapidly deploy, integrate with joint and international partners, and fight in complex, large-scale combat operations.
Unmanned Vehicular Systems: Why Cost as a Strategy Undermines National Power
By Dr. James Giordano and John Bitterman | July 27, 2026
The current definition of attritability as relevant to the viability and value of employing unmanned vehicular systems is laden with inaccuracies that can affect calculation(s), planning, tolerances and thresholds for military operational engagements.

AI image for the article
Cognitive Engagement as a Strategic Imperative of Irregular Warfare
By Jocelyn Garcia and Dr. James Giordano | July 20, 2026
Irregular warfare is one of the most enduring modalities of human conflict; persisting across epochs because it exploits asymmetries inherent in human cognition, sociopolitical organization, and technical capability.

Neuroethics journal cover
Ethical Considerations Toward Harmonizing Human and Machine Agency in Embodied Neurotechnologies
By Drs. Nicolas Berberich, Gordon Cheng, and James Giordano | July 6, 2026
Several nations are evidencing increased interest in and consideration of employing various types of neurotechnologies to optimize cognitive and motor performance and perhaps modulate emotion and behavior. In this essay, published in the international journal Neuroethics, Dr. James Giordano, working with colleagues Drs. Nicolas Berberich and Gordon Cheng from the Technical University of Munich (GER) address Western and Asian ethical perspectives focal to the regard, guidance and governance of using such cutting edge developments in real world practice and settings.

Cognitive Security Institute logo featuring a white shield outline on a black background. Inside the shield is a blue symbol combining the left half of a human brain with the right half of a digital circuit, representing the connection between human cognition, technology, and security.
The emerging armamentarium of cognitive warfare with Dr. James Giordano (Video)
By SWJ Staff | June 20, 2026
In this lecture for the Cognitive Security Institute, Dr. Giordano discusses the weaponization of neuroscience to engage the brain as the new battle-space, and the ethical issues that arise in and from these dual use developments.

A digital illustration depicting a human brain facing an artificial intelligence system, connected by streams of data and neural network patterns. The image symbolizes human-machine interaction, cognitive processes, artificial intelligence, and information exchange.
Autonomous Narrative Warfare: Engaging Agentic AI Within the Cognitive Battlespace
By Dr. Elise Annett and Dr. James Giordano | June 9, 2026
Cognition is becoming a focal domain of strategic competition of the twenty-first century battlespace.

Digital illustration depicting a human profile with an illuminated brain overlaid by data streams, circuitry, and numerical elements. The image symbolizes cognitive warfare, information influence, emerging technologies, and the intersection of human cognition and the information environment.
Cognitive Warfare at the Crossroads: Defining and Developing Capabilities
By Robert Schmidle, James Giordano | June 8, 2026
To date, there continues to be some discussion, including essays that have appeared in this forum, as to whether and to what extent cognitive warfare represents anything other than psychological operations (PSYOPS) with more sophisticated tools and methods, or if it actually is a unique and evolving domain of combat.

A stylized, futuristic human face rendered in blue and red digital circuits. The left side of the face glows blue with circuit lines, while the right side has warm orange and red colors with sparks of light. Surrounding the figure is a network of data pathways, symbolizing the intersection of human cognition and artificial intelligence.
"Strategic Insights" Moves to Monthly Release
By | May 20, 2026
Beginning in June 2026, Strategic Insights will shift from a weekly to a monthly release.

Title slide reading “Substrate Vulnerability: Neural Factors in Cognitive Security” by Dr. James Giordano, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University. INSS and NDU logos appear at the top, with a stylized portrait of Giordano on the right against a dark, abstract background.
Substrate Vulnerability: Neural Factors in Cognitive Security | James Giordano
By Dr. James Giordano | May 5, 2026
A realist approach to cognitive security must appreciate the dynamic interaction of biological, psychological and socioenvironmental factors as both (1) constituent to human function and (2) opportune targets of influence, and effect.

The K1000 ultra-long range endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is launched from a government owned non-tactical vehicle during the Army’s first battalion-level All-Domain Home Station Training (HST) exercise Static Focus 3 at Yakima Training Center, Wash., March 6th, 2025. The Army’s first MDO HST exercise enabled live training of the MDEB’s family of systems used to conduct Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and non-kinetic effects execution. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Rickert)
Irregular Warfare, Part One: Updating the Term and the Toolkit
By Jocelyn Garcia and Dr. James Giordano | May 5, 2026
Irregular warfare (IW) is not a new phenomenon, although its contemporary character has been substantively reshaped by advancements in technology, and more specifically, by the developments in AI.

Artificial intelligence-powered training is a force-multiplier that can also scale to support more hours of training for more servicemembers. (Graphic provided by CAE)
Synthesized Command & Control: A new way human choices can guide AI warfighting
By Elise Annett and James Giordano | May 4, 2026
As the U.S. military races to adapt to ever-larger amounts of increasingly advanced, and iteratively autonomous AI, how do humans stay in control?