David Byrd

Fellow, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology

National Security and Defense
Defense Strategy
Technology
David Byrd

At A Glance:

David Byrd is a fellow with Hudson Institute's Center for Defense Concepts and Technology.

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Biography

David Byrd is a fellow with Hudson Institute’s Center for Defense Concepts and Technology. He is an expert in future concept development, data analytics, and the applications of artificial intelligence to military problems. His research focuses on the evolution of space as a warfighting domain and the implications of new technologies on force design and warfighting concepts.

Prior to joining Hudson, Mr. Byrd supported work developing the technology strategy for Lockheed Martin, where he conducted studies, ran workshops, and performed analysis on the evolving military environment.

Before Lockheed Martin, he was an analyst at the Office of Net Technical Assessment within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. There, he performed technical analysis, developed wargames, and ran studies on emerging and potentially disruptive technologies, with a specialty in AI, autonomy, and manned-unmanned machine teaming.

Mr. Byrd received his BA in international studies from American University and his MA in security studies from Georgetown University.

Events
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15
June 2026
Past Event
How to Transform the Japan Self-Defense Force for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence
Featured Speakers:
David Byrd
Bryan Clark
Moderator:
Masashi Murano
A member of the Philippine Navy looks out at as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Takanami during a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea on June 14, 2025. (Getty Images)
15
June 2026
Past Event
How to Transform the Japan Self-Defense Force for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence

Join report authors Bryan Clark and David Byrd, in conversation with Masashi Murano, for a discussion of the report's principal findings and their implications for how Japan should design and resource its future defense force.

A member of the Philippine Navy looks out at as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Takanami during a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea on June 14, 2025. (Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
David Byrd
Bryan Clark
Moderator:
Masashi Murano
Learn More
12
June 2026
Past Event
Winning the Innovation Competition
Featured Speakers:
Brigham A. McCown
Dan Patt
Emil Michael
David Byrd
Nick Bucci
Joe Kochan
Sam Lisbonne
Shawn Venditti
DVIDS
12
June 2026
Past Event
Winning the Innovation Competition

Please join Hudson Institute Senior Fellows Bryan Clark and Dan Patt for a conversation with Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael about the Department of War’s efforts to bring AI to the battlefield and implement an innovation strategy that makes the most of America’s commercial and government research sectors. 

DVIDS
Featured Speakers:
Brigham A. McCown
Dan Patt
Emil Michael
David Byrd
Nick Bucci
Joe Kochan
Sam Lisbonne
Shawn Venditti
Learn More
12
February 2025
Past Event
An Integrated Approach to US-Japan Cooperation with Southeast Asia
Featured Speakers:
Ken Jimbo
Kenan Arkan
Yuki Shimazu
David Byrd
William Chou
Moderator:
Kenneth R. Weinstein
U.S. and Philippine Coast Guard Bilateral SAREX
12
February 2025
Past Event
An Integrated Approach to US-Japan Cooperation with Southeast Asia

Hudson’s Japan Chair will welcome a panel of geopolitical, security, and economic experts to address the challenges and opportunities for US-Japan cooperation with Southeast Asia. 

U.S. and Philippine Coast Guard Bilateral SAREX
Featured Speakers:
Ken Jimbo
Kenan Arkan
Yuki Shimazu
David Byrd
William Chou
Moderator:
Kenneth R. Weinstein
Learn More
28
August 2024
Past Event
AUKUS Pillar 2: New Partners and Opportunities
Featured Speakers:
Chris Brose
Phoebe Greentree
David Byrd
Masashi Murano
Moderator:
Kenneth R. Weinstein
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru convened a Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, May 2, 2024.
28
August 2024
Past Event
AUKUS Pillar 2: New Partners and Opportunities

Hudson’s Japan Chair will host a panel with Chris Brose of Anduril, Phoebe Greentree of the Australian Embassy, and Hudson’s David Byrd and Masashi Murano to discuss the challenges and opportunities for Japan’s potential participation in AUKUS Pillar 2, how the program may need to evolve, and the wider security and technological implications of Japanese involvement in the program.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru convened a Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, May 2, 2024.
Featured Speakers:
Chris Brose
Phoebe Greentree
David Byrd
Masashi Murano
Moderator:
Kenneth R. Weinstein
Learn More
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A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Uzushio-class submarine participates in an international fleet review at Sagami Bay on November 6, 2022, off Yokosuka, Japan. (Getty Images)
A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Uzushio-class submarine participates in an international fleet review at Sagami Bay on November 6, 2022, off Yokosuka, Japan. (Getty Images)
Strengthening the Front Line: Transforming the Japan Self-Defense Force for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence
bryan_clark
bryan_clark
Bryan Clark
Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology
David Byrd
David Byrd
David Byrd
Fellow, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology
masashi_murano
masashi_murano
Masashi Murano
Senior Fellow, Japan Chair
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Timothy A. Walton Hudson Institute
Timothy A. Walton
Senior Fellow, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology
Shane Denin
Shane Dennin
Research Fellow, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology
Bryan Clark, David Byrd & Masashi Murano More…
Reports
Reports
4 Min Read