Innovating in a Secret World: The Future of National Security and Global Leadership.

• Author: Srivastava, Tina P.

* "Our national security depends on advancements in science and technology," writes Tina Srivastava, a former Raytheon engineer, and now an author, entrepreneur and technology expert. However, "it is no longer enough to support R&D and expect technology innovation, technological superiority and national security to follow. For the United States to maintain its position requires being the foremost at effectively transitioning R&D investment into technological innovation."

The problem is what she calls "secure U.S. government R&D." It is cloaked in secrecy, and that is at odds with modern means to achieve progress, or what the commercial sector calls, "open innovation strategies."

Secret government R&D programs were once highly successful: the Apollo program 50 years ago was one shining...