Testimony by Dr. Allan Schell On behalf of the Coalition for National Security Research (CNSR) before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense 12 June 2002 Good morning Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, my name is Dr. Allan Schell. I am with the Research and Development Policy Committee at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-USA and a former chief scientist of the Air Force laboratory system with over 30 years of experience in DOD research programs. I am here to testify today on behalf of the Coalition for National Security Research, a broadly based group of scientific, engineering, mathematical and behavioral societies, universities and industrial associations committed to a stronger defense science and technology base. We urge the subcommittee to approve robust and stable funding for Department of Defense (DOD) basic (6.1), applied (6.2) and advanced technology development (6.3) elements in fiscal year 2003 (FY03). Specifically, CNSR joins many other organizations in urging the subcommittee to increase the S&T program to $11 billion in FY03, or 3 percent of the overall departmental budget, as recommended by the Defense Science Board, the Quadrennial Defense Review, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and numerous departmental officials. CNSR strongly supports DOD’s S&T programs across all defense organizations, especially those defense research programs providing support to our nation’s universities. These programs are the foundation of the Department’s Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) activity. They feed our procurement needs, enhance our readiness and modernization efforts, provide technologies to protect our forces, and contribute to the most technologically advanced, best trained, lethal, fighting force in the world. I also want to express deep appreciation for the Committee’s past support and for the FY02 funding approved for these programs. With consideration of the FY03 budget, it is important to recognize the critical role DOD S&T plays in ensuring the future national security of the United States and the safety and effectiveness of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. Simultaneously, these defense science programs contribute to the research enterprise of the country and to the education of tomorrow’s scientists, engineers and policy makers. The Department provides a critical investment in several disciplines — including engineering, physical, math, computer and behavioral sciences — vital to our future national security. The challenges of a new era — in homeland defense, asymmetric threats, infrastructure protection, and disruptive technologies, among others — place an even more important emphasis on enhanced battlefield awareness and increased warfighter protection. As you are aware, previous investments in defense science and technology have led to breakthrough developments in areas such as thermobaric bombs, distributed networking, advanced materials, global navigation, precision guidance, and stealth technology that have equipped America’s men and women in uniform with the finest technologies in the world. Current research in remotely-operated mini-robots, unmanned air, land and sea vehicles, remote medicine, chemical and mechanical sensors, large scale battlefield simulations and advanced data memory systems will protect the warfighters of the future by removing them from harm’s way, providing on-site emergency medical care, identifying dangerous environments, improving training and speeding data availability and usability. The support of this subcommittee is critical to ensuring that we maintain a viable S&T base to meet our future security needs on land, in the air, and at sea. Now I would like to take a moment to highlight one specific example from a long list of technologies resulting from your investment in defense S&T. The Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) program is a joint Department of Defense, NASA and private industry R&D effort designed to develop more efficient and reliable engines for military aircraft by increasing engine thrust-to-weight ratio on military aircraft by 30 percent. DOD is citing potential savings of as much as $16 billion per year in operating costs as a result. In addition, the spillover benefits are already evident, as the technology is currently being used by commercial airlines allowing for less expensive and more reliable civil air travel. Despite substantial appreciation for the importance of DOD S&T programs on Capitol Hill, total research within DOD has declined in constant dollars during the last decade. This decline poses a real threat to America’s ability to maintain its competitive edge and to pursue a capability-based — rather than a threat-based — defense as detailed by departmental leadership. We strongly recommend that a small portion of proposed increases for national security activities be directed to the core S&T research accounts to achieve the $11 billion funding target, an increase which allows for both preparation and protection of the men and women in our future military. In closing, I want to again thank the subcommittee for its continued support of Defense S&T and for the opportunity to appear here today on behalf of CNSR and its members. The Coalition for National Security Research looks forward to assisting you in any way possible. | Top of Page | Policy Log | Public Policy Forum | IEEE-USA | Last Update:
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