DEFENDING DEFENSE:THE EVER-CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL ARENA WARRANTS CONTINUED
ADVANCES IN U.S. MILITARY FORCES

Americans have every reason to be proud of our forces standing against
aggression in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. They are dedicated and
well-trained volunteers running the world's most advanced ships, aircraft,
and weapons systems. What many people do not realize is that most of the
technology we rely on today, in the Gulf and elsewhere around the
world, was developed and built years, even decades ago.

One of the first ships to respond to the Mideast crisis was the nuclear
aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, its keel laid in 1970, before many of the young
sailors running the ship were born. F-15A tactical fighters were first
test-flown in 1972, and F-16 fighter aircraft first flew in 1976. We rely
on these and other advanced systems to give us the edge in any
potential conflict. But in today's changing world, we cannot take that
technological edge for granted. We need to start building for our defense in
years to come.

Our defense has long depended upon matching numerically superior enemies
with qualitatively superior forces. But keeping this technological
advantage requires time and effort. With a smaller American military and
smaller budgets, it is more important than ever to think in new ways
about our defense requirements.

The threat to our security is changing. A growing number of countries
are acquiring highly sophisticated military arsenals. By the year 2000
at least 15 developing nations will have the ability to build ballistic
missiles, and more than half of those countries either have, or are near
to acquiring, nuclear capabilities. Thirty countries will have chemical
weapons, and ten will be able to deploy biological weapons. Advanced
technology can make third-class powers into first-class threats.

We cannot yet dismiss the Soviet Union's large, increasingly modern
nuclear forces. And even with recent and projected budget cuts,
production of new Soviet strategic forces is still brisk. Last year, for
instance, the Soviets deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic
missiles; we deployed none. They have a new version of their heavy
SS-18 ICBM, along with two new missile types; and in their
intercontinental bomber fleet, new Bear H and Blackjack aircraft are
being equipped with longer-range cruise missiles.

It may be tempting to ignore these realities in light of our optimism
about Soviet reform, But the fact remains that deterrence, now and in
an uncertain future, depends not only on Soviet intentions but also on
Soviet knowledge of American capabilities. To keep a stable balance of
forces, and to be in a strong position to encourage further arms
reductions, we need to continue our program of strategic modernization.

These goals depend on our technological superiority, on breakthroughs in
weapons design like stealth technology. Potential adversaries must know
U.S. forces could respond to aggression by penetrating high-tech air
defenses. That kind of credible deterrent will depend on new-generation
aircraft, ships, tanks, and other weapons systems whose configurations and
special materials make them more difficult to detect and defend against.

Missile defense is another important application of advanced technologies.
Recently we've been perfecting a system of missile interceptors deployed
in a low space orbit, the Brilliant Pebbles concept. Each Brilliant
Pebble consists of a single space vehicle with a "life jacket" that stores
energy and control systems. As attacking missiles are first boosted
into space, Brilliant Pebbles would find and destroy them, making a
surprise missile attack on us too difficult and complex to risk.

Overall, within the U.S. Defense Department we have identified 20
critical technologies including microelectronics, software, directed energy,
robotics, and propulsion-- that are essential to advances in weapons
capabilities.

Army experts are thinking ahead to new, all-weather day/ night sensors
and low-cost tactical satellites that would enable our soldiers to
detect and engage enemy forces effectively.

Innovative thinkers in the Navy and the Defense Advanced Research
Projects are looking at electric-drive propulsion, a concept that has the
potential to revolutionize ship design and provide energy for advanced
weapons systems. And finally, Air Force scientists continue to study
advanced aircraft engines that provide more power and thrust with lower
fuel consumption.

Some people may look at today's highly capable defenses and wonder
whether research into further advances is worth the effort and cost. I
hope they will look back at the investments that brought us today's
strong defense. Our ability to overcome to morrow's threats depends on
what we do today.