Strategic Planning Document -
National Security
Executive Summary
The vision of the Committee for National Security is to better
couple science and technology to the full spectrum of U.S.
national security: enhancing our military effectiveness,
strengthening our economy, and fostering global stability.
The Strategic Implementation Plan addresses the federal
science and technology contribution to the President's national
security strategy, A Strategy of Engagement and Enlargement. It
is the product of the Committee for National Security, an
interagency committee created to advise and assist the National
Science and Technology Council in its mission to increase the
overall effectiveness and productivity of federal national
security research and development efforts.
Areas of Focus
Support Our National Military Strategy . The
fundamental mission of national security science and technology
is to support the ability of U.S. military forces to carry out
our national military strategy. U.S. armed forces must maintain
their readiness, flexibility and technological superiority to
contend with a wide range of potential missions in the post-Cold
War world, from major regional conflict through peace operations.
The National Military Strategy is a key enabler to our broader
national goals
A strong science and technology base and a healthy industrial
base are core ingredients of this defense capability. In the
post-Cold War world, it is important that both be more closely
integrated into the broader U.S. economy, to strengthen the
application of broader technical capabilities to our defense
needs and to ensure that our defense technology and industrial
investment contribute to our national economic security and
competitiveness.
As part of supporting our National Security Strategy, the
Committee for National Security has identified three other
priority missions of national security science and technology.
These missions are highly intertwined:
Science and Technology Applications to Post-Cold War
Missions. Military missions at the lower end of the
operational spectrum are of growing importance in the Post-Cold
War world. Our defense technology investment must be applicable
to these new missions while also supporting our core regional
military capability.
Building International Stability and Preventing
Conflict. Science and technology can play an important role
in helping to prevent conflict before it requires the engagement
of U.S. military forces.
Weapons of Mass Destruction. Technology plays a
central role in efforts to ensure that we prevent and counter the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of
their delivery, verify and monitor existing and new arms control
agreements, and ensure the effectiveness of the smaller U.S.
nuclear research and production capability.
In creating this plan, the Committee for National Security
built upon a number of processes and studies to develop an
integrated interagency approach to science and technology.
Specific studies employed by the Committee on National
Security include:
- Department of State Dispatch Supplement February 1994
- Deputy Secretary of Defense Report on Non/Counter Proliferation May 1994<
- DoD Defense Science and Technology Strategy September 1994
- Committee on National Security Peacekeeping Paper October 1994
Strategy Elements
Our national security science and technology strategy is built
on the following precepts:
Maintain Technological Superiority. Technology
superiority underpins our national military strategy as
articulated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Although the Cold War
threat has changed, we remain committed to technological
superiority precisely because it allows us to field the most
potent military forces at the lowest cost - both economic and
human.
Invest Broadly in Basic Research. Our strategy is to
apply resources broadly at the basic research level and make
further investment decisions as emerging technologies reveal the
most promising payoff areas.
Use Commercial Technology Where Possible. It is
commercial demand that drives development of many
defense-critical technologies. Partnerships with industry can
capture those commercial technologies that present the greatest
potential military application.
Incorporate Affordability. The cost of advanced
technology systems must not be allowed to spiral upward
uncontrolled. Affordability must be designed in from the
beginning.
Access International Science and Technology.
International cooperation in science and technology can serve our
interests by augmenting our own investment and by enhancing our
industrial competitiveness.
Address Global Problems at the Root of Conflict.
Science & Technology can play a role in addressing global
problems and helping to advance democracy and foster
international stability.
Mobilize Resources in an Enhanced Interagency Fashion.
The Committee for National Security fosters coordination and
collaboration among agencies in pursuing the national security
science and technology program.
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