Technological Innovation in Military R&D: Perspectives Between Mowery, Kaempffert, and Milward

Military R&D has long been one of the major driving forces of technological change, especially in the industrialized nations. R&D investment from the DoD and member countries of NATO drives both military and civilian technology advancement. The investigation is elaborated in this article in light of theoretical conceptions, mechanisms, and historical contexts that are expressing this linkage. It deals with how military-driven innovation has molded the fortunes — through case studies in some detail along with quantitative estimates — of industries related to semiconductors, commercial aviation, and information technology. This article also addresses the more general influences of military R&D on national innovation structures, due to the crowding out of private industry innovation and its effects on productivity growth.

Introduction

The influence of military establishments on technological progress is monumental, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Military-sponsored research and development (R&D) activities, especially after World War II, have affected many civilian industries through the generation of knowledge spillovers, spinoffs, and cost reductions due to military procurement (Mowery, 2010). The case for public investment in R&D, and…