Deputy Secretary of Defense John Deutch and Director, Defense Research and
Engineering Anita Jones today released the Defense Science and Technology
Strategy.
Deputy Secretary Deutch, in introducing the Strategy, called it "a coherent,
well-thought out plan for keeping our national security technological edge in a
time of profound change." He continued, "The world has undergone a great
change. The Defense Department must continue to respond in an integrated way
to this change, and the Strategy provides a new blueprint for the Department's
science and technology program."
Jones, whose remarks followed those of Deputy Secretary Deutch, said, "This
Strategy responds to the new demands of Post-Cold War era. It calls for
technology to be developed to reduce cost as well as to meet the warfighters'
need. Technology can and must ensure that the military departments can buy
more for less.Ó
Continuing, Jones added, "The Department is for the first time proactively
developing technology that has the potential to be the basis for both military
and commercial products. This contributes to integration of commercial and
defense industry. An integrated industrial base will serve defense needs
better, as well as enhance U.S. economic competitiveness.Ó
The Defense Science and Technology Strategy addresses the different demands on
the warfighter imposed by the new world order. The Defense science and
technology program must develop technological options, and rapidly transition
the most promising of them to the operating forces. The Strategy ensures that
all of the Department's science and technology resources will be working toward
that goal, while emphasizing technology for affordability and dual use.
Budget decreases compel the consideration of affordability as an integral part
of the science and technology program. The strategy of technology for
affordability permits materiel and systems to be developed at a lower cost, to
be longer-lived, and to be incrementally enhanced in capability through planned
upgrades. Through technology, the military can develop less costly materials,
optimize manufacturing processes, and improve methods of maintenance.
The development of dual-use technologies allows the investment in national
security to also strengthen the overall U.S. economy. DoD benefits from the
aggressive technology maturation rates and cost reductions that come with
developing commercial and military products from a common production line.
Certain important technologies remain unique to the military. Investment will
continue in such areas as nuclear weapons, the acoustic quieting of submarines
and missile guidance.
The Defense Technology Plan, a companion document released at the same time
discusses 19 technology areas in detail. For each area, it documents specific
objectives, funding and schedules, and provides an overview of the program to
meet stated objectives. This comprehensive plan will ensure that the DoD
investment in technology effectively and aggressively develops technology to
meet the warfighters' needs.
