The source and nature of general purpose technologies for supporting next K-waves: Global leadership and the case study of the U.S. Navy's Mobile User Objective System

Abstract

A fundamental problem in the field of the technological studies is to explain the source and nature of general purpose technologies (GPTs) that can support the patterns of long waves and socio-economic progress of nations. The study here confronts this problem by applying the theoretical framework of global leadership-driven innovations, which endeavors to clarify and to generalize whenever possible, the source and nature of a new GPT in a not-too-distant future. This study suggests that one of contributing factors that may support the next GPT is due to strategic investments for the U.S. Navy's Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). This scientific and technological investment for U.S. military has the purpose to reinforce U.S. global leadership and, at the same time, can induce clusters of new technology in society. The MUOS is a constellation of ground-breaking satellites for next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system, which makes prior products obsolete (e.g., UHF Follow-On satellites). This technological system and related technological search for U.S. military are developing new information and communications technologies (ICTs) that are bringing the future of worldwide mobile satellite communications into reality. Overall, then, this study shows, by applying a new theory, some invariant factors of the source of GPTs and a possible new technological system for supporting long-run dynamics of current Kondratieff wave and future human development in society.