Hearing of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee - The Role of the Department of Defense Science and Technology Enterprise for Innovation and Affordability

Hearing

Senator FISCHER. Thank you, Madam Chairman, and thank you all for being here today. I truly appreciate you taking the time to come and go through this briefing with us and have a conversation about the important issues before us.

I appreciate the innovative structures our military employs to conduct cutting-edge research. In my State, the University of Nebraska has partnered with the U.S. Strategic Command to advance its mission to protect the United States from an attack by weapons of mass destruction. And General Kehler has noted the clear value of this partnership.

As we prioritize our scarce defense resources, it is critical that we continue to invest in advanced research and potentially game-changing technologies. The American military is the most advanced and effective fighting force in the world. We must sustain our investment in the next generation of technologies to maintain our technological superiority and stay ahead of these developing threats.

Of course, these investments must be made wisely. I am eager to hear from our witnesses on the steps they are taking to scrutinize their investments and, in particular, improve coordination and eliminate duplicative research.

The current fiscal environment also demands that defense funds be devoted toward warfighting missions and capabilities. Past years may have permitted the support of research that had only marginal benefit to the Department of Defense, but I believe it is critical that the Department's science and technology funding have a strong and clear benefit to its core mission: fighting and winning wars. The Department of Defense simply cannot afford to foot the bill for projects that are more relevant to other departments and agencies.

This subcommittee has its work cut out for it. Shedding non-
warfighting research while protecting investments that could unlock the next generation of battlefield technology will be a complex and difficult task. We need the help of these witnesses to thread that needle.

So thank you so much for being here.

And thank you, Madam Chair.

Senator HAGAN. Thank you, Ranking Member Fischer.

What I would like to do is--I have had two charts handed out and I just want everybody to look. And my first question actually relates to these talks. Oh, I am sorry. I apologize. I am ready for these questions and I am already omitting your opening statements. [Laughter.]

So we will pull back on that. I know. I like my charts. [Laughter.]

So Dr. Shaffer, if you would start first please.

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