LTGEN John G. Coburn
Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics

This chapter reflects the Army’s investment in implementing its post–cold–war science and technology (S&T) vision and strategy, as described in Chapter I, "Strategy and Overview," and in Chapter II, "Training and Doctrine Command’s Role in Science and Technology." It addresses the Army’s 6.2 investment strategy, and is presented as 19 technology sections that are adapted from the subarea architecture of the Defense Technology Area Plan (DTAP). A crosslink between the defense technology areas and the chapter sections is provided in Table IV–1.

A new feature in this chapter is the linkage of each technology section with the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) integrated and branch/functional unique future operational capabilities (FOCs). The FOCs were developed in 1996/97 to provide a warfighting focus for Army S&T planning and they supersede the operational capability requirements (OCRs) that were used in prior year master plans. A listing of the FOC linkages can be found within each technology section. A more complete description of the TRADOC FOCs is given in Volume II, Annex NO TAG, of this plan.

The Army’s basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development work balance a strong emphasis on technologies that could upgrade currently fielded systems. There is also a continuing assessment of long–range insights and requirements as may be offered by future–seeking initiatives such as the Army After

Next (AAN). This approach maintains an operational edge for the near term while simultaneously developing technologies that will ensure future land force dominance in the mid to far term. The thrust of the Army investment is to capitalize on technology opportunities, reduce technology barriers, and exploit emerging technology options for essential battlefield capabilities—as defined by our warfighters.

The Army investment in technology development enables advanced concepts for land combat, and constitutes the critical link between the Army’s basic research thrusts, as described in Chapter NO TAG and the Army Modernization Plan (AMP) annexes and roadmaps, as presented in Chapter III.