On December 3rd, The Contemporary Conflict Institute held its inaugural Speculative Technologies Research 2009 holiday gala and opened its exhibition at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
This exhibition showcased three-dimensional prototypes of current Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) solicitations created by an interdisciplinary group of artists, academics, and independent researchers convened by the Contempoary Conflict Institute in order to bring form, functionality, knowledge and an opportunity for discourse to the anatomy and operations of DARPA - an esoteric organization of fewer than 250 persons tasked with the development and oversight of the United States’ second largest defense research and development program (FY2010 budget $3.25 billion). The Contemporary Conflict Institute also provided coffee, snacks and reading materials in their Request for Coffee cafe and reading room.
The Contemporary Conflict Institute would like to thank the many artists, academics, independent researchers, and Rensselaer students, faculty and staff whose work supported the creation of this exhibition.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
The U.S. Department of Defense tasks DARPA, a nimble organization of fewer than 250 persons, with the development and oversight of the United States’ second largest defense research and development program (FY2010 budget $3.25 billion). After consultation with senior defense officials, the intelligence community, and outside organizations, DARPA works with the private sector, academia, and other non-profit organizations to provide future commanders with technological options with which to address actual and envisioned national security threats.
DARPA, originally called ARPA, was established in 1958 after the Soviet launching of Sputnik on October 4, 1957. This event spurred the U.S. military’s pursuit of technological superiority over that of the nation's potential adversaries.
Currently DARPA’s mission is to prevent technological surprise from affecting the United States and to create technological surprise for our adversaries. The blueprint for accomplishing this mission is represented in strategic thrusts.
DARPA’s Current Strategic Thrusts*
• Detection, Precision ID, Tracking and Destruction of Elusive Targets
• Urban Area Operations
• Advanced Manned and Unmanned Systems
• Detection, Characterization and Assessment of Underground Structures
• Increasing Tooth to Tail Ratio
• Bio-Revolution
• Robust, Secure, Self-Forming Networks
• Space
• Core Technologies
* Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Strategic Plan May 2009
DARPA’s interest in high-risk and future-thinking defense technologies often leads to references in spy thrillers, television dramas and video games such as the Metal Gear Solid series. Conversely, DARPA’s collaborators frequently borrow inspiration and nomenclature from non-traditional sources such as science fiction novels.