Military Leadership in a Technological Age: Management of Complex Technologies and Prospect for Space

Abstract

This paper explores the significance of technological innovation within military institutions and proposes effective management strategies for these assets. Drawing on neorealist theory, the paper asserts that advancements in military technology bolsters a state's influence in the international system and provides strategic advantages during warfare. Thus, the continuous development of military technology is deemed essential for both the state and its military institutions. Considering the concept of the ‘military technologist’, the development of nuclear submarines – under the leadership of Admiral H.G. Rickover, US Navy (USN) – is used as a specific case study. Furthermore, the paper explores the institutional-level management of these technologies to create an optimal environment for their development and utilization. Drawing from these insights, the paper applies the lessons to the emerging domain of militarized space, and its critical role in modern warfare, contending that for militaries to effectively compete in space, these assets should be entrusted to military technologists within a distinct military organization.