Page 36 - FCW, August 2020

HOW DOD’S EXECUTIVE EXODUS COULD AFFECT TECH MODERNIZATION Back-to-back resignations and a lack of
permanent leadership in key areas could have implications for a wide range of DOD operations
BY LAUREN C. WILLIAMS
A recent spate of departures by top Defense Department officials has raised questions about excessive White House influence. However, the resignations by DOD’s top technology officials — Michael Griffin, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, and his deputy, Lisa Porter — highlight potential long-term consequences for the military’s technology capabilities.
Research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) are the crux of the National Defense Strategy, said Morgan Dwyer, deputy director for policy analysis in the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“The National Defense Strategy emphasizes cutting-edge