Testimony of Alan R. Shaffer Director of Plans and Programs Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering

This testimony has addressed the role of the DoD research and engineering program in responding to the recommendations of the Walker Aerospace Commission report. The report has a recommendation that is appropriate to use for the summary. Recommendation 1 of the report says The integral role aerospace plays in our economy, our security, our mobility, and our values makes the global leadership in aviation a national imperative. Given the real and evolving challenges that confront our nation, government must commit to increased and sustained investment and must facilitate private investment in our national aerospace sector. The Commission therefore recommends that the United States boldly pioneer new frontiers in aerospace technology, commerce, and exploration. I have attempted to demonstrate that the overall DoD research and engineering program does respond to the Commission report, because aviation and aerospace are central to the future military operations of the Department. Aerospace research and systems have been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of the DoDs needs. The growth in funding and focus of the Departments ST investment in aerospace areas demonstrate the importance of the aerospace industry to the DoD. This testimony has addressed the role of the DoD research and engineering program in responding to the recommendations of the Walker Aerospace Commission report The report has a recommendation that is appropriate to use for the summary Recommendation 1 of the report says The integral role aerospace plays in our economy, our security, our mobility, and our values makes the global leadership in aviation a national imperative. Given the real and evolving challenges that confront our nation, government must commit to increased and sustained investment and must facilitate private investment in our national aerospace sector.