Science, Technology, and National Security

Abstract

U.S. science and technology policy must adapt to meet the changing post-Cold War national security environment. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) argues that the principal role of science and technology for national security is to bolster U.S. industrial competitiveness. In order to maintain technological dominance internationally, PCAST identifies six actions: 1) utilize advances in science and technology for gathering and interpreting information; 2) prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; 3) restructure the federal government's methods for applying new technologies for defense and intelligence systems to better withstand budget cuts; 4) fill national security posts with technically qualified candidates; 5) explore new defense technologies; and 6) preserve the United States’ strong reputation for superior defense systems.