Hagel unveils plan to boost military 'innovation'

SIMI VALLEY, United States - US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Saturday a technological innovation plan to ensure America's military superiority in the 21st century.

"It will put resources behind innovations," Hagel said at a national defence conference at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation in Simi Valley, California.

He did not indicate how much the Pentagon would spend on the initiative.

The push will identify new approaches to warfare for the US military that include miniaturization, big data, autonomous robotic systems and 3-D printing.

Deputy Defence Secretary Robert Work was named to lead a group including other senior defence officials focused on the push.

Hagel said he expects the working group to propose important changes to how the agency identifies and responds to military challenges.