A senior military official has called on the defense industry to provide more prototypes during military exercises to enhance operational speed. Speaking at the AFCEA’s TechNet Indo-Pacific event in Hawaii on September 28, 2023, Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander of Marine Corps Forces Pacific, emphasized the need for collaboration and rapid innovation in response to emerging threats.
Glynn urged companies to bring multiple prototypes to exercises, rather than just one. “When you come with a prototype, don’t come with the intention to take it home with you along with all the data collected during our joint exercises,” he stated. His comments reflect a growing urgency within military ranks to work hands-on with new technologies and refine them in real-time situations.
The general highlighted the importance of maintaining access to prototypes after exercises, suggesting that companies should leave some behind for further testing. “Come with five. Take one or two home and leave three with us, and we’ll continue to work on it,” Glynn said. This approach would allow military personnel to gather valuable data and insights, ultimately leading to improved systems and capabilities.
Glynn asserted that speed is essential in the future operational environment. He remarked, “Forces don’t have time to wait for perfect solutions or the acquisition community to take years to develop something.” He encouraged industry partners to embrace failure as part of the innovation process. “Partner with us to fail. I’ve got no problem when it doesn’t work,” he added.
In discussing the significance of prototypes, Glynn cited the Joint Fires Network, a prototyping initiative that addresses the urgent needs of combatant commands. This project aims to provide real-time, actionable threat information to joint and partner forces. According to Glynn, it began as a collection of promising prototypes combined to create a functional capability, demonstrating that immediate operational needs can be met without waiting for formal programs of record.
“What’s my biggest concern?” Glynn questioned. “Your ability to provide those prototypes, your trust to leave those prototypes, and our ability to continue to turn prototypes into programs of record.” He underscored the necessity for the defense industry to adapt timelines to match the military’s operational pace, which he noted is measured in weeks and months rather than years in the Indo-Pacific region.
As global security challenges evolve, Glynn’s appeal for more prototypes underscores a strategic shift towards agility and responsiveness in defense operations. The military’s willingness to experiment with new technologies, while simultaneously pushing for faster development cycles, reflects a broader trend in modern warfare that prioritizes rapid adaptation over traditional bureaucratic processes.
The dialogue between military leaders and industry innovators will be critical in shaping future defense capabilities, ensuring that armed forces are equipped to respond effectively to emerging threats on a global scale.
