Primer on the Irregular Warfare Support Directorate

Adam Tarsi, International Program Manager at the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), joined the CET Sandbox to shed light on one of the most dynamic and operator-focused programs in the U.S. defense ecosystem. With a long-standing partnership with Israel, IWTSD stands out for its speed, pragmatism, and deep integration with both U.S. and allied national security stakeholders.

Overview
IWTSD’s mission is to rapidly prototype solutions to real-world operational needs–often in less than 24 months–by partnering directly with frontline operators and international allies. With Israel, the collaboration is especially robust: a decades-long relationship supported by bilateral agreements and a steady pipeline of joint projects. Israeli startups looking to engage with the U.S. market will find IWTSD uniquely positioned to turn innovation into operational capability.

What is IWTSD and why does it matter to startups?
IWTSD is not your typical government R&D agency. It was created to fill urgent gaps in the field of irregular warfare and counterterrorism by directly engaging the people facing those threats–military and law enforcement operators. By bypassing much of the traditional bureaucratic process, IWTSD works with partners to develop and test solutions quickly. For Israeli companies, that means access to the U.S. defense market through one of the most flexible and startup-friendly programs available.

How does the U.S.-Israel partnership actually work?
The U.S.-Israel bilateral agreement with IWTSD has a $2 billion ceiling and has produced more joint projects than the rest of the U.S. defense ecosystem combined. Israeli innovations often reach maturity earlier due to the country’s security environment. Through collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MAFAT), startups can access U.S. funding and operator feedback in weeks–not years. As Tarsi noted, “We can execute in a couple of days or weeks where it usually takes a year and a half.”

What’s the path for Israeli startups to engage?
There are three primary ways:

1. Via MAFAT – IWTSD coordinates directly with MAFAT to co-fund and manage Israeli innovations that meet U.S. needs.

2. Directly through the U.S. Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) – Startups can apply for fixed-price contracts and retain IP ownership.

3. Through emerging tech programs – IWTSD recently secured dedicated congressional funding to co-invest in earlier-stage Israeli tech via programs like InnoFense.

How do U.S. operators stay involved throughout development?
Unlike traditional procurement, IWTSD ensures that U.S. end-users–whether NYPD or Tier 1 SOF–are involved throughout the lifecycle of a project. From initial scoping to testing prototypes in the field, U.S. customers are hands-on. That direct feedback loop helps align expectations, speed iteration, and significantly boost the odds of adoption.

What makes Israeli tech stand out?
Tarsi was blunt: “In a national security marketplace, we just can’t match Israel’s innovation.” The Israeli combination of urgency, military service, risk tolerance, and battle-tested pragmatism consistently produces effective, field-ready tech. While other allies may excel in academic or fundamental science, Israeli startups bring speed, utility, and adaptability that resonate with U.S. end-users.

Key Takeaways:

• Operator-first mindset: IWTSD builds solutions based on what users in the field need–cutting through bureaucracy.

• Israeli partnership is unmatched: The U.S.-Israel relationship through IWTSD is the deepest in the DoD’s R&D ecosystem.

• Three ways to engage: Through MAFAT, directly via U.S. BAAs, or via early-stage InnoFense programs.

• TRL 4–7 is ideal: IWTSD focuses on turning working concepts into deployable prototypes within 12–24 months.

• Startups retain IP: U.S. contracts are structured to protect company ownership while enabling U.S. operational use.

Conclusion
For Israeli defense-tech startups aiming to work with the U.S. government, IWTSD offers an unusually open door. With speed, flexibility, and a clear mandate to solve real problems, it remains one of the most effective on-ramps into the U.S. national security community. As Adam Tarsi reminded the audience: keep building, stay persistent, and bear with the system–because it’s looking for you.