Lawmaker sees hurdles to effective Defense transformation

Efforts to modernize the armed forces to better cope with 21st-century threats can get "bogged down" in acquiring new technologies, Rep. Mac Thornberry said on Wednesday.

"When you look at transformations of the past, you don't transform everything, but you make wise and informed wagers on some technologies that will pay off," the Texas Republican said during a speech on assessing the Bush administration's transformation efforts.

Thornberry, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, cited the efforts of the Defense Department's Office of Force Transformation as an example of the administration's commitment to modern strategy. He said retired Vice Adm. Arthur Cebrowski, who heads the office, is making "a few big bets" on technologies such as hypersonic, advanced space technology; sensors; unmanned aerial vehicles; and directed energy weapons.

During his speech at the Heritage Foundation, Thornberry questioned the administration's follow-through on placing "serious effort and serious money" behind exploring the technologies.

He said to watch funding levels for Cebrowski's initiatives, such as his plan to launch a "fast, cheap," small space satellite next year for tactical purposes by U.S. Central Command. Thornberry also questioned whether the space initiative would receive adequate funding if it is successful.

Decisions about what products to buy, he said, are "indicative" of "how serious" the military is about transformation.

Thornberry also said "real transformation" depends on cultural change within military institutions to address not only technology but also people, organizations and ideas.

The lawmaker said there must be continued pressure on experimenting in a trial-and-error fashion, which he said military observers identify as "not particularly consistent with a zero-defect mentality that has inflicted too much of our services."

Thornberry questioned if military institutions are willing to "challenge ideas, experiment," by "borrowing or buying" products made in other countries. He said that is a question still not answered in the debate on how to transform the military forces.