Lab Day

The Pentagon seeks to develop a stronger connection between the requirements and technology personnel, acquisition chief Frank Kendall told reporters Thursday.

In an aim to enhance that connection, the Defense Department held its first ever "lab day" on May 14, in which dozens of DOD lab projects were showcased in the Pentagon courtyard.

During the event's opening ceremonies, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work noted that the United States does not have a global monopoly on technology.

"Technological superiority is not an American birthright. We assume it. We have assumed it since World War II, but it is under threat," he said. "We have to work every day to keep it."

"And so that's why these types of . . . demonstrations really jazz me up because it makes me confident that we will be able to do so," Work added.

Kendall reiterated that idea when he spoke to reporters, noting that defense officials have to work harder at achieving superiority than they have over the past few decades.

The event follows closely with Work and Kendall's push to reinvigorate DOD's focus on technological superiority for 21st century conflicts.