Introduction & Purpose

 

Dual-tech (or “dual-use”) isn’t merely a narrow category of technology; it’s a strategy for delivering solutions that can serve both commercial and mission-driven (e.g., defense, security) markets. Because of this broad applicability, discussing “dual-use” in a simple label can lead to confusion—one company’s technology might be classified as purely commercial or purely defense, when in truth it has potential in both. The DualTech Taxonomy addresses that challenge.

 

 

Why a Taxonomy?

 

Common Language: Unifies how startups, investors, analysts, and government agencies reference various tech segments.

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Clarity in Complexity: Provides a structured way to see which technologies intersect with which operational contexts (domains).

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Neutral & Scalable:
Avoids overly militaristic terms, so commercial‐only players aren’t deterred, while still being relevant for defense stakeholders.

 

Rationale for the 6 Domains

 

We segmented the taxonomy by 6 overarching Domains that represent either functional layers or physical environments where technology is applied:

 

1. Information & Analytics

• Covers data interpretation, insights generation, advanced analytics pipelines, and intangible layers of knowledge.

• Typically refers to how raw data becomes actionable intelligence.

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2. Data & Systems

• Encompasses software infrastructures, integrated platforms, and system-level workflows.

• Focuses on the “plumbing” of digital ecosystems, bridging hardware, software, and network protocols.

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3. Space

• Addresses orbital environments (satellites, deep space probes), launch infrastructure, and in-orbit operations.

• Increasingly relevant as commercial/defense satellites, space robotics, and off-planet manufacturing accelerate.

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4. Air

• Involves aviation technologies: flight controls, aerial security, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), advanced airframes, etc.

• Encompasses both civilian aviation and mission-oriented aerospace.

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5. Land

• Pertains to terrestrial logistics, vehicles, security, ground-based robotics, and infrastructure.

• Emphasizes everything from driverless ground systems to adaptive manufacturing on land.

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6. Sea

• Covers maritime operations, aquatic sensing networks, maritime communication, and underwater or surface robotics.

• Reflects dual‐use potential across defense navies, commercial shipping, resource exploration, and more.

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Why These 6?

They represent distinct environments or layers where technology solutions typically operate. Each domain stands on its own, allowing for easier alignment of a given technology to its principal use context(s).

 

Rationale for the 10 Sectors

 

Along the top of the taxonomy grid, we have 10 broad technology Sectors. These were chosen because they frequently appear in both commercial and defense contexts and have high synergy for “dual-tech” applications:

 

AI 00 – Artificial Intelligence

From machine learning algorithms to cognitive computing, any advanced AI solution can pivot between enterprise and defense use.

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CS 01 – Cybersecurity

Encompasses secure software, encryption, threat detection. Both consumer industries and mission markets require robust cyber solutions.

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AS 02 – Autonomous Systems

Robotics, self-driving vehicles, UAVs. Autonomy is relevant for warehouse automation, last-mile delivery, and defense reconnaissance.

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AM 03 – Advanced Manufacturing

Covers additive manufacturing, materials, industrial automation. Important for cost-effective scaling in both commercial factories and defense supply chains.

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AE 04 – Aerospace

Air and space vehicle design, flight dynamics, propulsion from an aerodynamic perspective.

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SN 05 – Sensors

Sensor hardware, multi-spectral imaging, data collection devices. Sensing is a linchpin technology for commercial IoT and mission intelligence.

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EP 06 – Energy & Propulsion

Innovative power systems (battery tech, hybrid propulsion, solar/hydrogen) for vehicles, infrastructure, or portable power solutions.

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CM 07 – Communications

Networking protocols, data links, satellite comm, 5G, beyond. Critical for connecting users in any sector, whether consumer or mission-driven.

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IM 08 – Immersive Tech

VR/AR, simulations, training environments. Equips both consumer markets (gaming, enterprise training) and defense use (mission simulation, pilot readiness).

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BT 09 – BioTech

Genetic engineering, advanced medical diagnostics, biologically derived solutions. Widely relevant for health care and potential defense medicine or bioweapon detection.

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Why These 10?

They capture the major technology areas shaping modern innovation. Each can be harnessed in purely commercial settings or adapted for national security/defense. By labeling them with short codes (e.g., “AI00”), we ensure consistent referencing across the entire table.

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Methodology of Organizing the Taxonomy

 

Grid Format

 

• Rows = Domains (6)

• Columns = Sectors (10)
  This yields 60 total intersection cells (Industries).

 

Lettering & Numbering Convention

 

Each Subsector intersection gets a code of the form: [Two-Letter Abbreviation][Two-Digit Index]

 

For example,

 

• IA10 = “Intelligent Analytics,” row 1 (Information & Analytics) × column AI (Artificial Intelligence). The “10” references the row “1” and the column index for AI “0,” forming “10.”

• SR32 = “Space Robotic Systems,” row 3 (Space) × column AS (Autonomous Systems) “2,” forming “32.”

 

This system ensures unique codes across all 60 cells, prevents duplication, and lets users immediately see which domain/sector each industry belongs to.

 

 

Why the Taxonomy Is Important

 

Common Vocabulary: Founders, analysts, investors, and government officials can reference the same standard naming to avoid confusion (e.g., “AF40: Adaptive Flight Control”).

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Encourages Holistic Thinking: By seeing which Subsector intersects which domain, decision-makers realize that the same advanced tech can appear in multiple contexts (e.g., AI can be relevant in “Land,” “Sea,” or “Air”).

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Supports Dual-Use Strategies: The table helps you locate exactly where a technology might cross from a commercial environment to a defense or mission environment. This fosters more fluid pivots or expansions.

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Scalable & Evolving: The underlying structure (10 Sectors × 6 Domains) can grow as new technology emerges, without losing the fundamental grid logic. You simply add new Sub-tech bullet points or rename an industry if it better suits the evolving landscape.

 

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Use Cases for the Taxonomy

 

• Startup Roadmapping: A founder can see how their AI-based robotics tool (AS 02 × AI 00) might expand from “Data & Systems” (row 2) to “Land” (row 5), discovering new sub-markets in ground systems.

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• Investor Due Diligence: A VC scanning for “Autonomous maritime solutions” can jump straight to row 6 (Sea), column AS 02 (“UM62: Unmanned Surface / Subsurface”). They get a quick sector‐domain context before diving deeper.

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• Policy & Government Alignment: Officials can highlight which cells matter most for upcoming procurements. For instance, they might issue RFPs that specifically target “SR32: Space Robotic Systems” or “GC57: Ground Communications Networks.”

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• Market Analysis & Competitive Intelligence: Analysts can track how many startups or technologies populate each cell, spotting under-served segments (e.g., if “AQ65: Undersea Sensing Networks” is sparse, that might be a growth area).

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• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Large corporates or alliances can see synergy points—maybe an advanced propulsion specialist (EP 06) pairs with aerospace innovators (AE 04) to tackle “HF44: High-Speed Flight Systems” (row 4, column 5).

 

 

Vision for the Taxonomy

 

As the concept of “dual-use” broadens, our vision is for this taxonomy to become a market-wide standard that:

 

• Fosters a Common Language: People no longer speak vaguely of “dual-use AI.” They say, for example, “We’re focusing on AO30 (AI-driven orbital ops).”

 

• Reduces Silos: Encourages cross-domain awareness, so technology teams see opportunities in both commercial and defense sub-markets.

 

• Evolves Over Time: While the core grid remains (6 domains × 10 sectors), the Subsector names may shift with innovation. If a brand-new wave of computing arises, we can rename or refine certain cells without scrapping the entire structure.

 

• Drives Efficiency & Clarity: By referencing the same codes and categories, collaboration among startups, large primes, government agencies, and investors becomes more straightforward.

 

 

Final Notes

 

The DualTech Taxonomy is not about boxing technologies into “defense only” or “commercial only.” Rather, it’s a structured framework that helps everyone—from founders to analysts to policy makers—see the broad intersections of modern technology with real-world environments and mission needs.

 

• It’s Neutral, Yet Comprehensive: Each domain/sector intersection is described in a way that either side (commercial or defense) can appreciate.

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• It’s Scalable & Adaptable: 

  The 6×10 approach covers 60 Subsector cells, each of which can house deeper sub-technology categories without losing overall clarity.

 

• It’s a Starting Point, Not an Endpoint: As technology accelerates, we’ll continue refining the names or bullet lists under each Subsector. The fundamental structure, however—Domains × Sectors—remains consistent.

 

Ultimately, the DualTech Taxonomy aligns with the belief that “dual-use” is a strategy, not a narrow label. By using a shared, robust map of domains and sectors, the innovation ecosystem can better seize opportunities across commercial and mission-driven markets, accelerating technology adoption to address both economic and security challenges.