H.R. 7323 — Defense Technology Hubs Act of 2026

This section states the purpose of the Act as enhancing national security and technological superiority by requiring the Secretary of Defense to establish a network of regional defense technology hubs to foster innovation, collaboration, rapid development of defense-related technologies, and attraction of talent nationwide.

This section defines the following terms for purposes of the Act: (1) anchor Federal defense institution as a defense manufacturing facility, an institution of higher education that engages the Department [of Defense] on research, development, testing, and evaluation, or a military installation; (2) defense technology hub as a regional hub designated and supported under the Program; (3) eligible consortium as a consortium composed of universities, defense contractors, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, independent research entities, and State or local governments; (4) emerging technologies as scientific and engineering advancements with potential military applications as identified by the Secretary of Defense; and (5) Program as the Defense Technology Hubs Program established under section 4(a).

This section establishes the Defense Technology Hubs Program, under which the Secretary of Defense must solicit applications from eligible consortia and designate regional defense technology hubs based on specified criteria, including demonstrated capabilities in defense-relevant technologies (e.g., geospatial intelligence, artificial intelligence, quantum), regional collaboration, proximity to Department of Defense facilities, innovation ecosystems, partnerships for research and workforce development, alignment with strategic priorities, and economic impact. The Secretary must ensure geographic distribution across diverse U.S. regions, with a goal of designating at least 10 hubs within three years of enactment and a preference for areas with strategic national security relevance (e.g., new or expanded Department facilities or intelligence community investments). The hubs must pursue objectives including accelerating research, development, prototyping, and transition of emerging defense technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, hypersonics); fostering partnerships among Department components, industry, academia, and state/local governments; addressing regional needs; promoting workforce development; and enhancing defense industrial base resilience. The Secretary may award grants to hubs for seed funding, research and prototyping, administrative costs, and security systems, subject to requirements including Department cybersecurity standards, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations, and prohibitions on participation by foreign entities of concern as identified by intelligence community elements (per 50 U.S.C. 3003) or the Department of Commerce's Entity List.

This section directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure the Program complements, and does not duplicate, existing efforts such as those of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Manufacturing USA Institutes, the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines. The section further requires the Secretary, as appropriate, to align defense technology hub activities with existing defense and intelligence infrastructure to maximize the use of established mission platforms and reduce redundant investments, particularly in areas where new Federal campuses serve as long-term anchors for defense innovation ecosystems.

This section directs the Secretary of Defense to (1) seek to contract with an independent entity for annual evaluations of the Program's effectiveness during the first five years and biennially thereafter, assessing technology outputs, national security impacts, and return on investment; and (2) submit annual reports to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees detailing Program activities, defense technology hub performance, and recommendations for improvement.