Defense Issues for the Next Administration: the "Long War"
The events of the past eight years have clarified the military challenges and tasks facing the United States. While many of the new "facts" do not reflect good news--the attacks of 9/11, the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the rapid development of Chinese military power, and the spread of nuclear weapons and know-how--all have provided a firmer basis for planning. We can now, after fifteen years of post-Cold War uncertainty, begin to answer better the classic question of defense programming and budgeting: how much is enough?There remains a critical problem in policymakers' approach to defense planning: confusion about the definition of "defense spending" and what makes up the defense budget. There is a crucial distinction between the baseline defense budget--the costs of raising, training, equipping, and otherwise readying U.S. military forces--and wartime costs--the additional expenses that come with employing the forces, including the costs of resetting them to original readiness levels. Indeed, the constant debates about the unanticipated and escalating (though still relatively low, as discussed below) costs of operations in Iraq and elsewhere have obscured and delayed a much-needed evaluation of the requirements for and costs of the force needed now and for the future. This Outlook will make an initial assessment of the primary security challenges facing the United States, the force requirements necessary to address those challenges, and the programmatic and budgetary implications of the U.S. military's efforts to prepare for future threats. .....
In 2000, the incoming Bush administration assumed that the United States had entered a period of "strategic pause," during which the risks of war were low and would remain so for several decades. It therefore appeared prudent to contemplate a "military transformation," which meant accepting risks in the near-term to prepare for longer-term dangers. The corollary was that we might skip a generation of defense investments and maintain relatively small forces.... (no need for that, the Pentagon invented "Al Qaeda terrorists")
In 2000, the incoming Bush administration assumed that the United States had entered a period of "strategic pause," during which the risks of war were low and would remain so for several decades. It therefore appeared prudent to contemplate a "military transformation," which meant accepting risks in the near-term to prepare for longer-term dangers. The corollary was that we might skip a generation of defense investments and maintain relatively small forces.... (no need for that, the Pentagon invented "Al Qaeda terrorists")
Better Than X-Rays: The Z-Backscatter Scan-Van http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/better-than-x-rays-the-z-backscatter-scan-van-04276/?camp=newsletter&src=did&type=textlink
American Science and Engineering’s Z Backscatter Van™ (ZBV) is a low-cost, extremely maneuverable screening system built into a commercially available delivery van. The ZBV employs AS&E’s patented Z Backscatter technology, which reveals contraband that transmission X-rays miss – such as explosives (including car bombs), plastic weapons, and people – providing photo-like imaging for rapid analysis.
The Z-Backscatter Van is also capable of identifying low levels of radioactivity from both gamma rays and neutrons with optional Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD) technology. Here’s how it works.....
The Z-Backscatter Van is also capable of identifying low levels of radioactivity from both gamma rays and neutrons with optional Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD) technology. Here’s how it works.....
EADS Buys PlantCML
In late 2007, European aerospace and defence giant said that they were looking to make at least 2 acquisitions in the American market, as part of a larger strategic plan they called “Vision 2020.” Buying PlantCML of Temecula, CA from Golden Gate Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity fund, for approximately $350 million appears to be the first step
* Please see the U.S. Version of Vision 2020:http://www.fas.org/spp/military/docops/usspac/visbook.pdf
Local air guard part of incident response exercise (NY)
NEWBURGH — National Guard engineer soldiers will arrive at Stewart Air National Guard Base Friday on their way to a training exercise in New York City.The Stewart-based 105th Airlift Wing will fly soldiers from Niagara Falls to Newburgh as part of Operation Civil Support.
The exercise at the city’s fire training academy on Randall’s Island helps prepare the state military for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high explosives incidents
Pitt Medical Students Tested In Pandemic Flu Drill
Medical students at the University of Pittsburgh had their teamwork, communication and leadership skills put to the test during a pandemic flu drill. An auditorium was turned into a hospital and patients wore tags that showed what was wrong with them and what treatment they needed. In this pandemic flu exercise, the supply trucks aren't coming to the hospital, they've run out of oxygen and they've run out of food and water. People are getting sicker, they're being brought up to the intensive care unit. Some people are actually dying and being brought down to the morgue....
Norway, Sweden conduct first cross-border air force exercise
Small Robots to Undergo U.S. Army Testing
The U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems has begun testing of the first Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles (SUGVs) to arrive at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Arms Race in Space
Boeing to Upgrade Arizona 'Virtual Fence' http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120951971234254935.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
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