From Technology to Capability: Will Our Acquisition and Combat Development Leaders Select the Right Systems?
Abstract
Technology, whether initially developed for commercial or military purposes, is the fuel of the ongoing advancements in military affairs. New technological capabilities, along with concepts for their implementation, support development of dramatically new doctrine: the engine that will revolutionize the basic force structure of our military. It takes competent, innovative, and enlightened leadership to mold the most effective technologies into superior systems. But will our future acquisition and combat development leaders make the right choices from the cauldron of emerging technologies? Will they see in a given configuration merely the sum of individual elements of combat power? Or will they envision capabilities achievable through the synergistic effects of combining multiple elements? They will be bombarded with a constant continuum of advanced technologies that must be thoroughly exploited for military use. Their rate of review must be much faster and much less expensive than we currently are capable of achieving. They must know how to work in this new era but today's education process and working environment will not support the development tempo. The dramatic, ever-increasing speed of technological evolution requires a new order of education and career progression systems for acquisition and combat development officers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 28, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA323571
Entities
People
- Nicholas L. Straffon
Organizations
- United States Army War College