Pentagon acquisition guru Ken Krieg has asked the Defense Science Board to form a task force to examine DOD’s energy strategy—everything from operational and strategic constraints inherent in aerial tanking to the high cost of delivering energy to the battlefield and the potential implications of disruptions to energy flow. The infrastructure required to transport and distribute energy to the battlefield is “extremely costly” and diverts resources from combat capabilities, Krieg cautioned. Among the DSB’s tasks, identify ways to reduce demand, identify the possibilities of DOD producing energy, and assess how a proposed new energy strategy would impact DOD’s global realignment.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.