DARPA’s
charter is radical innovation and a crucial characteristic
for many of the DARPA programs is that it takes a long time
from an idea’s conception to its use by the U.S. military.
DARPA personnel welcome hard technical problems, even in
the face of previous failure, if the technology offers revolutionary
new capabilities for national security.
Patience
and persistence are required for Program Managers, but they
are often rewarded with having solved a DARPA “Hard” problem.
DARPA’s pioneering work has lead to some of the most technologically
advanced systems and applications of the century. But there
are always more challenges and your idea may help be the
next revolutionary solution.
For
nearly five decades, DARPA’s management methodology has been
very successful at bridging the gap between fundamental discoveries
and the provision of new military capabilities.
DARPA
was borne of the space age, and all of the Agency’s initial
projects were space-related. But its mission soon evolved
to counter new threats. From ballistic missile defense to
stealth aircraft, long-range unmanned systems and the Grand
Challenge to the Internet, DARPA has contributed directly
to some of the most deployed and well-known technologies.
As
DARPA celebrates its 50th anniversary, join us in celebrating
our past accomplishment and our future goals.
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“As a parent of a sailor, I took on a sacred charge to provide our military with the best technologies.”
Carey Schwartz, former DARPA Program Manager
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