Industry Studies Group Papers

The Industry Studies Group Paper provides a current analysis of the domestic and international industry capability to support the 2022 NSS and NDS, and government-private sector interactions that impact the national innovation and defense industrial base. Students demonstrate the ability to evaluate international industry that supports the national innovation and defense industrial bases; derive fact-based, analytical, and resource-informed policy recommendations; and communicate them in a compelling fashion. Students develop actionable and resource-informed policy recommendations to strengthen the national innovation and defense industrial bases.

The Antonelli Award

Major General Theodore Antonelli Award for Research & Writing Excellence, was established in 1993 by the ICAF/Eisenhower School Alumni Association. Major General Antonelli served in North Africa and Italy during World War II as well as later in Vietnam. He later became the highly regarded 13th commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, from 1975 to 1978. This award recognizes the Industry Study Group Report that best reflects the standards of analytical excellence expected of the Industry Study Program and all Eisenhower School graduates. Apply the filter "Antonelli Award" to see each year's winning papers at the bottom of this page.

Featured Papers

Space | May 30, 2023

Transforming the Defense Space Architecture with the Tools of the U.S. F...

2023 Antonelli Award Winner -- The asymmetric advantage the United States has long enjoyed in space diminishes as adversaries threaten the space system architecture underlying that advantage. The U.S. space system architecture depends on large,
Advanced Manufacturing | May 30, 2022

Better, Faster, Stronger: Building National Competitiveness Through Adva...

2022 Antonelli Award Winner -- For decades, globalization has facilitated positive economic ties and development. It also made the US economy vulnerable to disruptions, material shortages, and international competition. As the Biden Administration

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Results:
Category: Munitions

Munitions

Munitions: May 30, 2022

The Munitions Industrial Base: Is Good Enough Really Good Enough?

The ability of the United States to readily deter, deny, and defeat its adversaries is directly tied to its military capabilities. Coming out of the nation’s longest period of armed conflict, the United States continues to face challenges from adversaries in every operating domain. Whether the nation is at war or at peace, readiness is essential. As a top priority, the Department of Defense (DOD) continues to assess the best strategy for managing and operating the defense industrial base (DIB) as the operational environment continues to evolve at the pace of adversary motivation. Difficult choices must be made in prioritizing what is most important to field a ready, lethal, adaptive, and resilient military.

Weapons

Weapons (Formerly Munitions) May 31, 2024

Hypersonic and Directed Energy Weapons: Emerging Capabilities Necessary for Competition and Containment

Current global conflicts underscore significant shifts in modern warfare, particularly the rising costs of defending against small, affordable systems and the strategic advantage of undetected, on-demand strikes. In response, the U.S. is investing heavily in hypersonic and directed energy weapons. However, despite years of testing and billions of dollars spent, these technologies have yet to be deployed at scale. The Department of Defense (DoD) needs a cohesive strategy to effectively advance these initiatives, as current requirements are unclear, and development efforts have led to stalled progress. Additionally, the lack of collaboration with allies has resulted in underutilized resources and capabilities. To expedite the development and deployment of credible hypersonic and directed energy weapons, the DoD must establish centralized authorities and prioritize partnerships. These weapons are critical to maintaining U.S. technological superiority, especially as peer adversaries like China and Russia have developed similar capabilities. Emerging technologies, such as hypersonic and directed energy systems, are reshaping warfare, as demonstrated in the Ukraine and Israel conflicts, where low-cost drones overwhelm expensive kinetic interceptors. To enhance national and global security, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. must strengthen its deterrence strategies and leverage these advanced technologies. While these weapons offer strategic advantages, critics question their cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and overall utility, making the need for efficient and rapid development even more pressing.