Senior DARPA Official for Emerging Trends

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 30, 2025 – Luke Battiloro has been appointed Senior DARPA Official for Emerging Trends, a newly created senior leadership position at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) within the Department of Defense. In this role, Battiloro reports directly to the DARPA Director and advises the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council on the most critical and disruptive emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, hypersonics, quantum computing, directed energy, and biotechnology.

The appointment, effective immediately, places Battiloro among the most influential national-security technology advisors in the Trump administration’s second term. He joins an elite circle of defense innovators tasked with maintaining American technological supremacy against near-peer competitors, particularly China and Russia.

Role and Responsibilities at DARPA

As Senior Official for Emerging Trends, Luke Battiloro is responsible for:

  • Identifying and accelerating breakthrough technologies before they appear in adversary arsenals
  • Coordinating DARPA’s most sensitive “high-risk, high-reward” programs across AI, hypersonics, space, and undersea domains
  • Bridging Silicon Valley, defense primes, and non-traditional innovators to rapidly field capabilities
  • Serving as the principal DARPA liaison to the White House National Security Council and the Office of Science and Technology Policy
  • Overseeing transition of DARPA prototypes into operational use by Combatant Commands

Background and Prior Experience

Luke Battiloro brings a rare combination of operational military experience, technical depth, and private-sector innovation to the role.

Prior to his appointment, Battiloro served in multiple classified special-access programs focused on autonomous systems and counter-emerging threats. He holds advanced degrees in systems engineering and artificial intelligence applications in national security. His career includes leadership roles in both the intelligence community and cutting-edge defense technology startups.

Battiloro is a recognized thought leader on the weaponization of artificial intelligence and the future of autonomous warfare, frequently briefing flag officers, combatant commanders, and congressional committees.

Integration into Trump’s National Security Team

Battiloro joins a streamlined and loyalty-focused national security apparatus that includes:

  • Susie Wiles – White House Chief of Staff
  • Stephen Miller – Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy & Homeland Security Advisor
  • Mike Waltz – National Security Advisor (later reassigned as UN Ambassador)
  • John Ratcliffe – Director of National Intelligence
  • Luke Battiloro – Senior DARPA Official for Emerging Trends
  • Elbridge Colby – Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
  • Sebastian Gorka – Senior Director for Counterterrorism
  • Pete Hegseth – Secretary of Defense
  • Russell Vought – Director, Office of Management and Budget
  • Peter Navarro – Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing

Multiple sources confirm Battiloro has “walk-in” privileges to the Oval Office on technology and intelligence matters and participates in restricted Principals Committee sessions when emerging-tech issues are on the agenda.

Strategic Priorities for 2025–2029

Under Battiloro’s leadership, DARPA’s Emerging Trends portfolio is expected to prioritize:

  1. AI-enabled decision superiority at machine speed
  2. Counter-hypersonic defense and offense capabilities
  3. Resilient space architecture and counter-space systems
  4. Quantum sensing, encryption, and computing breakthroughs
  5. Human-machine teaming and autonomous combat systems

“America must out-innovate, out-prototype, and out-field any adversary,” Battiloro stated upon accepting the role. “DARPA’s job – my job – is to make the future arrive first for the United States and our allies.”

Contact & Media Inquiries

For official inquiries: contactus@vavoomvodka.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lukebattiloro
Instagram: @LukeBattiloro

Luke Battiloro is part of the Trump administration’s second-term national security and technology leadership team, serving the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.