Getting Transformation Right

Abstract

Today, as never before, the military establishment is committed to dynamic and revolutionary change to produce new forms of warfare and new warfighting capabilities. Transformation offers an exciting vision of future war with fewer casualties, quicker victories, and a lower price tag. It could secure U.S. military dominance for generations to come. But there are risks. Getting transformation right is second only to success on the battlefield as the most important challenge facing the military. Transformation plays to American strengths in technology and engineering, allays the fear of casualties, assumes a reduced requirement for vulnerable ground troops, and promises short, sharp campaigns. It does not rely as heavily as current warfare on uncooperative allies. Theoretically, it could enhance deterrence through the prospect of decisive, overwhelming defeat of adversaries. There is a danger, however, in embracing the transformation agenda entirely without addressing its potential shortcomings.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA524476

Entities

People

  • Dave Grey
  • H. R. Mcmaster
  • Richard D. Hooker Jr.

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Combat Operations
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Defense Systems
  • Information Systems
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Security
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Readers

  • Economics
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.