STAR 21 Strategic Technologies for the Army of the Twenty-First Century (1992) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
7 Conclusions and Recommendations
7 Conclusions and Recommendations
Pages 256-266
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From page 256... ...
The national interests of the United States continue to require a strong military force capable of being deployed anywhere in the world. A key part of this capability will be the Army's capacity to project dominating ground combat strength as a way to stabilize future regional unrest.
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From page 257... ...
From a list of more than a hundred technologies with significance to Army applications, the STAR Science and Technology Subcommittee selected the following as most likely to produce important changes in ground warfare: multidomain smart-sensor technology; terahertz-device electronics; secure, wide-bandwidth communications technology; battle management software technology; solid state lasers and/or coherent diode laser arrays; electric-drive technology; genetically engineered and developed materials and molecules; material formulation techniques for "designer" materials; and methods and technology for integrated systems design.
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From page 258... ...
has shifted from its original focus on strategic defense in a massive nuclear exchange to broader concerns with air defense capabilities in threat scenarios like those considered by STAR. Although the STAR technology assessments were largely completed before this shift occurred, the Army clearly needs to incorporate the new SDIO interest in tactical defense with its own planning for theater air and missile defenses.
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From page 259... ...
Increased Army use of this highly innovative part of the private sector appears crucial to rapid introduction of new technology into Army equipment. The Army's relations with this sector have been hurt by its rigid management.
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From page 260... ...
In the modernization of processes and tooling, the Army's current specialized base of defense contractors could fall behind foreign competitors, who rely more heavily on industrial suppliers for their military products. To counter this trend, the Army can concentrate its diminished resources on those technology areas that have no private sector counterpart while depending to the fullest extent possible on commercial components and production facilities.
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From page 261... ...
There is some evidence that technologists in the Army community remain dissatisfied with the work environment despite recent attempts to improve it. However, recent experiences within the DOD Laboratory Demonstration Program and within certain high-quality Army laboratories hold promise for procedural changes that could significantly improve the work environment.
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From page 262... ...
In particular, their ability to sustain themselves until heavy forces can be inserted will depend on close coordination with supporting Air Force and Naval forces. Therefore, the STAR-recommended focal value of joint operability will be essential to force structure planning.
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From page 263... ...
6. The Army should commit to upgrading the combat capabilities of its first-to-be-deployed light forces and to substantially reducing the weight of systems for its heavy forces, so that a suitable middle tier of medium air-deployable forces can be achieved.
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From page 264... ...
Such a policy must recognize both the reduced rate of implementation of completely new platforms and the imperative that deployed Army forces at no time be denied technological superiority. Gradual improvement of fielded designs by subsystem upgrades can move new technology into the field faster than simply waiting for a new platform baseline.
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From page 265... ...
A good example is the placement of Army medical personnel in civilian trauma centers.
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