Overview

This course provides students with the analytic tools to assess how modern technology shapes military competition. Technology is the fuel for arming and conflict among nations. The course identifies technology attributes that impact international competition and military operations, from damage imposition and attribution to plausible deniability, as well as the unique intelligence problems stemming from the dual use nature of many military capabilities. Each course module grounds analytic frameworks in detailed studies of major technology stacks: nuclear fuel cycle assets, chemical and biotechnology, rockets (including hypersonics and heavy launch), space systems, cyber capabilities, drones (aerial and maritime), advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. The course enables students to assess the discrete effects of each technology on strategic competition, as well as conduct deeper dives on advanced topics with subject matter experts.

Prerequisites

• DA3882
• Or consent of instructor

Learning Outcomes

• The primary goal of this course is to enable students to understand how technology shapes competition among nations in the 21st century.
• Students who complete this course will be able to identify key attributes of technology that fuel arms races and conflict, and measure these features across any technology available to states.