Department of Defense Laboratories


Book Description

The Defense Laboratory Enterprise engages in activities ranging from basic research through defense system acquisition support to direct operational support of deployed warfighters. These Laboratories are comprised of dozens of facilities across 22 states, and employs tens of thousands of scientists and engineers, both civilian and military, public employees and contractors. DLE labs develop the strategies and supporting plans that exploit science, technology and prototypes to respond to the needs of the Department of Defense. They are tasked with ensuring U.S. technological superiority, preparing for an uncertain future, and delivering technical capabilities to warfighters.




The State of Basic Research in DOD Laboratories


Book Description

In a government-wide study of research and development (R & D) laboratories, some Department of Defense (DOD) laboratory directors expressed concern about their laboratories' loss of opportunity to perform long-term basic research because DOD has placed emphasis on solving near-term problems. Therefore, GAO reviewed the levels and trends of in-house basic research and the extent that the levels have declined in recent years to determine what impact this might have on the future health and vitality of the DOD laboratories. GAO found that Defense R & D provides the technological foundation for national security. DOD in-house laboratories play a vital role in striving for technological leads in areas important to defense, guarding against technological surprise by the adversary, and providing options which shape the U.S. military posture. Doing basic research is essential to the laboratories' vitality because it helps them to attract good scientists, keep up with and use advances in science, and increase the overall level of technical ability. The level of basic research performed at the in-house laboratories has seriously declined, and the DOD research growth is planned for the external research community. Allowing the laboratories to remain at the current level of basic research performance could erode their long-term ability to perform those functions which are basic to supporting a mission organization.




Department of Defense Laboratories


Book Description

Department of Defense laboratories : innovation through science and engineering in support of military operations : hearing before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, second session, hearing held September 28, 2016.




Science Support by the Department of Defense


Book Description







Department of Defense Laboratories


Book Description

Department of Defense laboratories : innovation through science and engineering in support of military operations : hearing before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, second session, hearing held September 28, 2016.




Statement on Department of Defense Laboratories, by Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering (Research and Advanced Technology) Before the Subcommittee on Research and Development, of the Committee on Armed Services House of Representatives, the 95th Congress, First Session


Book Description

The speaker summarizes the OSD position as recognizing the need for a strong DoD laboratory system. Nevertheless, the world has changed markedly in the past ten or twenty years and these changes translate into a moderately diminished need for laboratory support; less use of the laboratories for support to system development and the need for a larger Technology Base contract program. Failure to adjust the laboratories' manpower in recognition of these trends merely postpones the reckoning, increases the problem, and is not responsible management.




From Reform to Reduction: Reports on the Management of Navy and Department of Defense Laboratories in the Post-Cold War Era


Book Description

The Navy laboratory system has played a significant role in the technological superiority of the Navy and Marine Corps in peace and war in every era from today's Global War on Terrorism, back through the Cold War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, and even to its very beginnings in the Civil War. This system has created Nobel laureates, fostered the creation of operational radar, sonar, and most of the fundamental capabilities found in space today. It has helped unlock some of the basic secrets of our natural environment, particularly in the oceans, atmosphere, and space. It has routinely been ranked in the very top tier in intellectual property productivity in the United States. The lab system has been involved from the conceptual development all the way to operational testing and fielding of every major weapons system our Marines and Sailors have used for generations. Often that delivery of practical technology has involved substantial partnerships with or transfers-for-production to the U.S. technical defense industry.