DOD's Dual-Use Strategy (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
July 3, 1997 |
| Report Number |
95-322 |
| Authors |
John D. Moteff, Science Policy Research Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
As part of its effort to reduce the costs of its military systems and gain greater access to state-of-
the-art technologies, the Department of Defense (DOD) is pursuing what it calls a "dual-use"
strategy.
This strategy seeks to make greater use of the commercial sector in developing and manufacturing
military goods. The strategy has two principal elements: acquisition reform to remove the regulatory
and administrative barriers that inhibit greater use of commercial technology, and "dual-use"
technology programs that actively seek to (a) develop new dual-use technology in cooperation with
the commercial sector, (b) insert or "spin-on" existing commercial technology into military systems,
and (c) "spin-off" existing military technology into the commercial sector. Acquisition reform has
proceeded apace with bipartisan support. "Dual-use" technology programs, however, have generated
much debate. While critics have been supportive of the dual-use strategy in principle, they felt the
specific program initiatives, with their explicit concern with commercial markets, strayed too far from
DOD's traditional programs. The 104th Congress eliminated the most visible of these programs, the
Technology Reinvestment Project, but supported two new programs proposed by DOD. How best
to pursue DOD's dual-use strategy will remain an issue in the 105th Congress.
