Hearings

Looking ahead to the hearing, Chairman Mac Thornberry said, "A fundamental obligation of Congress under the Constitution is to “raise and support,” and “provide and maintain” military forces capable of defending the country.   The responsibility of meeting that obligation falls primarily on this Committee.

"Doing so in these times, however, is challenging for several reasons:

1. We face an enormous array of serious, complex threats for which we must be prepared.  Each of them requires certain preparations and technologies.  

2. The pace of technological change is increasing at an astonishing rate.  It is an enormous challenge just to keep up.

3. Enemies and potential competitors are working every day to exploit vulnerabilities in our capabilities.  That includes developing technologies to offset areas of American military strength.

"In addition, we are challenged by our own system, which is too slow, too cumbersome, too wasteful, and too frustrating for those in it and all of those who depend on it.
 
"A big part of the reason that defense reform, including but not limited to acquisition reform, will be a major part of this Committee’s agenda is to improve the ability of the Department to keep up with this pace of technological change.  

"Our military doctrine has long depended on technological superiority. But it is clear that potential adversaries are hitting us at the seams of our high-tech edge. The consequences of a relatively weaker America will affect every American. 

"If we cannot keep up, we will not have the military capability we need when we need it and the danger to our military personnel will be increased.

"Yesterday, we received a classified briefing on these issues, and on Monday, the Committee had an informal discussion with the chief acquisition executives for each of the military services.  Today, we are pleased to welcome Undersecretary of Defense Frank Kendall, who has been leading the Department’s work in this area, as well as Lieutenant General Ramsay, the Joint Staff’s Director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment (J8).

"The key issue before us is this:  What should we in the Congress do to ensure that American has technological superiority so that we have the military capability that the nation needs and the times demand?"