About the DSB... The Department of Defense is embarked on efforts to transform the nation's armed forces to meet the demands being placed on them by a changing world order. There is a growing threat of missiles, information warfare and biological, chemical, and nuclear weaponry, different than the cold war era threat, but equally troublesome. Similarly, there is the need to begin creating the military of the future - one that takes full advantage of revolutionary new technologies. Further, the Department must modernize and transform the business of defense, getting the best value for the taxpayer's money. As the Department develops new strategies and new concepts within the context of these objectives, the wise counsel and advice of the Defense Science Board will be critically important. Over the last 50 years, the Board has ably served the nation in numerous ways by providing innovative solutions to myriad technological, operational and managerial problems. In the transformation processes needed to ensure success in the military and national security endeavors, such wise counsel will be of even greater value to the Department. As a former member of the Board, I am confident that the record of the Defense Science Board accomplishments over the past four decades will continue in the future. I look forward to working with all of the members of the Board in the challenging days that lie ahead. Dr. Ashton B Carter Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics)