Coping With Rapid Technology Advancement From an Australian Perspective
Abstract
The problem of acquisition processes that cannot keep up with the rate of technological advancement is important to most military organizations. The ability to quickly field equipment that capitalizes on technological innovation is becoming more important. The advances in computers and communications have enabled commercial organizations to catch and exceed the growth of defense technology. This reversal from the previous period post-WWII has made it increasingly difficult for the many technology oriented military organizations to maintain a technology edge over potential adversaries. The process of fielding new technology equipment in the military can be divided into three main areas. The first area is research and development (R&D) which is limited by the level of funding provided. With shrinking budgets the main methods available to increase the effort are through limiting the scope of the R&D or through cooperation with other nations or agencies. Next is the acquisition phase which is already subject to streamlining initiatives worldwide to reduce some of the unnecessarily bureaucratic procedures. However, for reasons of accountability there is a limit to the time-frame possible in most democratic countries due to scrutiny requirements and budgeting procedures. Finally, the during the integration of new technology equipment into fielded forces, there is potential to save considerable time through innovation that can both integrate equipment into the current structure and adapt the structure to take full advantage of new technology. This paper will discuss what the military can do to field new technology more rapidly, in the R&D, acquisition and integration phases from an Australian defense perspective.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA398527
Entities
People
- Neil C. Hart
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College