Testimony shows congressmen science, technology highlights

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Carl Norman
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) --  Air Force leaders showcased new technologies to members of the House Armed Services Committee at the Air Force Museum here July 19. The technologies would continue to be funded by $2.2 billion in fiscal 2004.

Gen. Lester Lyles, the Air Force Materiel Command commander, and Maj. Gen. Paul Nielsen, the Air Force Research Laboratory commander, spoke to more than a dozen congressional delegates. The officers testified during a field hearing of the subcommittee on tactical air and land forces.

The congressmen were shown the battlefield air-operations kit designed to lighten backpacks for combat controllers, panoramic night-vision goggles and active-denial technology. The active-denial technology is designed to control large crowds via millimeter-wave energy that causes intense heat without causing injury.

Nielsen told the committee that technology allowed the Air Force to transition to advanced munitions before Operation Iraqi Freedom and greatly added to coalition successes. Also, weapons designed to neutralize chemical weapons and a non-explosive weapon that penetrates soft-storage facilities and mitigates chemical or biological weapon threats proved a significant advantage for warfighters.

But directed energy is literally the wave of the future, Nielsen said.

"I'm convinced directed energy is going to change the way we fight wars in the 21st century much the same as stealth technology did in the late 70s and precision-guided munitions and the (Global Positioning System) did in the 90s," Nielsen said.

He explained possibilities ranging from laser communications to advanced lasers for tactical weapons. Directed energy deals with lasers, high-power microwaves and other associated energy technologies.

In spite of challenges in the Air Force budget, Lyles said the science and technology purse increased to $2.2 billion in fiscal 2004, up $535 million from 2003. The Air Force's designation as the Defense Department's lead for high performance computing modernization, high-energy laser work and university research initiatives are responsible for some of the increase.

Lyles also said an additional $150 million is needed as the Air Force leads the National Aerospace Initiative. This calls for developing technologies for access to space and other realms.

"We're very proud of the opportunity to make sure these technologies are accomplished in the right way," Lyles said.

He cited three strategies Air Force experts will use to spend allocated dollars wisely.

First is procuring integrated, innovative-technology solutions to make sure warfighters' needs are supported in every aspect.

"You have no better example of that than what's developed here at the Aeronautical Systems Center in things like the Predator and Global Hawk," Lyles said. "They're examples of cutting-edge, innovative technology that are, in some cases, still in development, but we're using them now to support our national security needs."

The second strategy is procuring new and enabling technologies being studied by Air Force Research Laboratory experts. Nielsen named self-repair as one example of biominetics -- developing materials that emulate nature by mending themselves much as a starfish does when it loses a limb.

"In our structural materials, if we have a small crack, (it) tends to grow, and ultimately we have structural failure," Nielsen said. "Wouldn't it be great if we could find some way to have materials heal themselves?

"At the basic-research level, we've already found that. We've developed a plastic that can heal itself of cracks, and we want to continue that kind of work into the future."

As a third budget strategy, Lyles said attracting and nurturing scientists and engineers is critical. The Air Force is short about 2,500 people in this area.

Following the official testimony and a few technology demonstrations, Rep. Curt Weldon said the day's events gave greater visibility and support for the programs. It also helped congressional delegates "make the case" for increasing funding for science and technology, as well as research and development.

"It basically sets the tone … and validates our understanding of what they've been telling us in Washington -- that the future of capabilities to defend our nation is based on an increased commitment to this kind of research," Weldon said. (Courtesy of AFMC News Service)