White Paper on Tri-Service Reliance in Science and Technology

The National Security Strategy of the United States has long depended upon technological superiority to counter the military numerical superiority of its potential adversaries. But carrying out this strategy has its price the United States must stay technologically ahead of its potential adversaries. And it must do so during a time of unprecedented technology advances around the globe. Since World War II, the Science and Technology S and T community of the Department of Defense has carried much of the burden of maintaining our vital technology advantage. In doing so, it also has carried an awesome level of responsibility for maintaining our long-term security. The Cold War placed enormous demands upon the individual missions and military responsibilities of each Service. Fulfilling these individual Service missions, in turn, demanded support through science and technology efforts that are uniquely responsive to each Services needs. Not surprisingly, the Department of Defense and the three Military Departments each created and maintained, over the years, sophisticated S and T development organizations that were tailored to support their individual challenges. For almost half a century, through the depths of the Cold War--from the Korean War to the War in the Gulf--the Defense Science and Technology Base of the United States has met the challenge. Today, our military systems remain the envy of the world and are a persuasive deterrent to aggressors, both large and small.