In light of accelerating tensions in global hot spots, U.S. military R&D is gaining more urgency. The U.S. will spend nearly $80 billion to make new weapons, armor, and related gear, up 5% from last year.

The next array of weapons to outgun the old and explore new discoveries in science and security are coming from defense contractors, university labs, and little tech start-ups with big aims. They serve not such a lot to amaze war tech geeks but to guard and defend...and win.