The US Navy just told us what's on its tech wish list for the next several years
News Source
β’Sat, 19 Sep 2026 17:00:00 +0000
π° What Happened
The US Navy has published a new list of the technology it wants to buy over the next several years. Its chief technology officer, Justin Fanelli, shared the plan with investors. A small group of venture investors reviewed the list before release.
Fanelli said the Navy spends around $150 billion a year in total, and most of that still goes through old-style contracts. The Navy now wants to put money into companies alongside private investors, a step he calls co-investment.
The service mostly buys from firms at the Series D to Series F stage, rather than paying for early research itself.
π The Backstory
Fanelli has spent three and a half years making it easier for startups to sell to the Navy. He said the old system was a spaghetti chart of entry points. He wants a simple funnel instead.
Defence departments around the world are trying to work more closely with young tech firms. They want new tools for drones, software and data, not only large ships and planes.
π― Why It Matters
Defence spending shapes which technologies get built. If the Navy backs young firms, new tools may arrive faster. It also shows how governments compete for AI and software talent.
The US Navy has published a new list of the technology it wants to buy over the next several years. Its chief technology officer, Justin Fanelli, shared the plan with investors. A small group of venture investors reviewed the list before release.
Fanelli said the Navy spends around $150 billion a year in total, and most of that still goes through old-style contracts. The Navy now wants to put money into companies alongside private investors, a step he calls co-investment.
The service mostly buys from firms at the Series D to Series F stage, rather than paying for early research itself.
Fanelli has spent three and a half years making it easier for startups to sell to the Navy. He said the old system was a spaghetti chart of entry points. He wants a simple funnel instead.
Defence departments around the world are trying to work more closely with young tech firms. They want new tools for drones, software and data, not only large ships and planes.
Defence spending shapes which technologies get built. If the Navy backs young firms, new tools may arrive faster. It also shows how governments compete for AI and software talent.