DARPA sets tone for technological superiority.

• Author: Farrell, Jr., Lawrence P.
• Position: PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

DEPUTY DEFENSE SECRETARY Gordon England at a recent conference in the nation's capital noted that the greatest long-term threat to America is not weapons of mass destruction, but rather the prospect of losing our strength in science and technology.

England's observations are quite sobering, and remind us of the important role that science and technology play in the military superiority of our armed forces. Although technology is just one of a triad of key elements that are needed to maintain our edge on the battlefield--quality people is the primary component, in addition to first-class training.

Technology is America's great strength and one that we cannot afford to lose. In this context, it is fitting to highlight the important contributions that the Defense Department makes to the nation in this critical realm. In fiscal year 2007, defense S&T remains fairly robust at $13.3 billion--this includes programs in basic research (6.1) and applied research (6.2 and 6.3). One issue of concern, however, is that S&T is only 17 percent of the entire defense RDT&E (research, development, testing and evaluation) budget. That 17 percent share is expected to decline.

The biggest share of the defense S&T budget--$3 billion--belongs to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

DARPA truly is on the leading edge of technology, and provides a winning model for how the government can achieve genuine innovation that also helps us win wars.

Its central areas of investment today focus on robust, secure self-forming networks, detection, precision ID, tracking and destruction of elusive targets, networked manned and unmanned systems, urban area operations, location and characterization of underground structures, assured use of space, cognitive systems, bio-technologies and core technologies such as materials and electronics, according to a recent industry report that was published by the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association.

A number of DARPA projects in recent years highlight not only the innovative thinking at the agency but also its effective approach to establishing partnerships with industry and academia.

DARPA efforts, for example, spawned the development and eventual production of some of the most successful unmanned aerial vehicles currently employed by the military services. And the work continues. Most recently; DARPA, in a joint effort with NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, performed the first-ever autonomous...