Radha Iyengar Plumb

Radha Iyengar Plumb is an American government official who served as the chief digital and artificial intelligence officer in the U.S. Department of Defense. She previously served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. She was confirmed for that position by the U.S. Senate on April 18, 2023 and assumed office later that month.

She was formerly the chief of staff to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

Education Plumb has a Ph.D. and MS in Economics from Princeton University and a BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The committee favorably reported Plumb's nomination to the Senate floor on September 28, 2022. Plumb's nomination expired at the end of the year and was returned to President Biden on January 3, 2023.

Plumb was renominated the same day. The committee favorably reported Plumb's nomination to the Senate floor on February 9, 2023.

But later in February, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, placed a hold on all Defense Department nominations and general officer promotions because he disagrees with new department policies that help troops travel for abortion if they serve in states that heavily restrict abortion.

On April 17, 2023, the United States Senate invoked cloture on her nomination by a 61–26 vote. On April 18, 2023, her nomination was confirmed by a 68–30 vote.

In April 2024, Plumb resigned her deputy undersecretary position to assume the role of chief digital and artificial intelligence officer.

In September 2025, she was named a Distinguished Visiting Fellow with the World Perry House at the University of Pennsylvania.

Personal life Plumb is married to John F. Plumb, who as of 2023 served in another post within the United States Department of Defense.