The U.S. Department of War announced a second round of appointments to its newly established Science, Technology and Innovation Board (STIB) on May 27, 2026, bringing the total number of members to 33. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved these appointments to rapidly staff the unified advisory body, which was formed by merging the Department's Defense Innovation Board and Defense Science Board.
The STIB aims to provide a single, coherent voice for innovation, replacing previous competing recommendations with fast guidance for the Joint Force. Members were chosen for their "disruptive mindset and commitment to the American warfighter," bringing a crucial mix of "deep scientific rigor and private-sector agility" to bypass bureaucratic obstacles and deliver tangible solutions to the Department.
The board's immediate agenda includes tackling congressionally mandated activities. These initial assignments will focus on critical strategic equities for Kwajalein Atoll and the Reagan Test Site, with the goal of maintaining the Department's decisive edge in advanced testing and capability development. Additionally, the STIB will work on accelerating digital solutions, specifically optimizing and securing software delivery processes across the Department of War.