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FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNTIL RELEASED BY
THE HOUSE NATIONAL
SECURITY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT BY

JOHN M. BACHKOSKY

DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
(ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY)

TO THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY PROCUREMENT

AND

SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT

OF THE

HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE

JANUARY 24, 1996

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNTIL RELEASED BY
THE HOUSE NATIONAL
SECURITY COMMITTEE

Program Office under the co-sponsorship of both the Army and Navy and staffed

by representatives of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The Joint Program

Office was established in Fiscal Year 1995.

In view of the significant mine threat in Bosnia, the Army has been conducting an assessment to determine if there is any new technology that might be mature enough to be considered for use in the Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. Since the ACTD leverages individual military service investments in mature countermine technologies, it has been a key element in the Army assessment. In particular, this effort has concentrated on the Army and Army forces which will be operating in Bosnia. This review has considered not only the maturity and potential of specific technologies, it has also evaluated these technologies and their relevance to counter the threat and support the mission in Bosnia. Factors such as conditions within the theater, technological maturity, training requirements and system supportability in field were, and continue to be under evaluation. This assessment effort will continue as a potential source of support and enhanced countermine technology to support Bosnia and future Bosnia-like operations.

With regard to the present operations in Bosnia one of the key objective of the Department of Defense is that U.S. Forces supporting Operation Joint Endeavor have access to those systems and mature technologies which will improve their

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effectiveness and reduce or eliminate risk and exposure to hazards. We believe strongly it is equally important that we guard against providing equipment that does not satisfy the criteria I just mentioned, is not available in a timeframe consistent with the U.S. commitment, is not supportable with available resources

or places an unacceptable burden on the military commanders. While we understand that there may be technologies which might be of value we are working to establish a process to both evaluate these capabilities and minimize the disruption that might be caused while attempting to help our forces in theater.

The Department believes it imperative that the Services, OSD agencies and staff elements coordinate on all efforts to introduce new systems or technologies to our forces involved in Joint Endeavor.

Accordingly we have established a process to evaluate all technologies or equipment which might support Joint Endeavor but have not yet been subject to formal acquisition review or approval. Military operational needs that are the result of the unique Joint Endeavor environment, operations, or hazards will be provided directly through the normal operational chain of command to the Joint Staff. The Joint Staff will serve as the point of contact for reviewing all Joint Endeavor needs.

Within the Office of the Secretary of Defense and under the leadership of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (USD/A&T), the

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Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics (DUSD/L) will be responsible for evaluating proposals to improve logistics support capabilities. I, as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Advanced Technology (DUSD/AT), am responsible for identifying and evaluating potential solutions to address all other operational needs. The solutions may evolve from the DoD Science and Technology effort, other government activities, industry and other sources. Both DUSD/L and DUSD/AT will coordinate with each other, the Joint Staff and the appropriate Military Services.

The purpose of this policy in support of Operation Joint Endeavor is to ensure that we provide the most militarily relevant, technologically mature systems in a manner which ensures minimal disruption to our forces within Bosnia and does not detract from their mission in support of the Dayton Accord. The Department must be certain that technology upgrades provided to the theater, whether to enhance countermine detection operations or other missions, are sufficiently mature and supportable and that they provide value added to our forces in theater.

Once again thank you for the opportunity to address the Committee today. I look forward to working with you and providing you with information so you may fully understand both our policy and the technologies available to enhance our operations. With your interest and support we in the Department of Defense can

ensure our forces are equipped and trained with the most advanced, relevant

technologies available to support dynamic and challenging operations such as Operation Joint Endeavor. Thank

you.

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