Energy Changes Coming to DOD ...

... finally. In 2001, the Defense Science Board (DSB) published the excellent "More Capable Warfighting through Reduced Fuel Burden: Improving Fuel Efficiency of Weapons Platforms." When almost nothing happened, the DSB reconstituted itself (it's instructive to note that IDA consultant Tom Morehouse was a key member on both teams) and in Feb 2008 cranked out the ultimate guide to DOD Energy issues: "More Fight, Less Fuel: Report on DOD Energy Strategy." (Both of these voluminous and detailed docs are available in the right sidebar on this site.)

As we approach the one year annivesary of the second report, thought you might like to see what is, IMHO, the most singularly powerful statement it makes. Summarizing the key findings of the 2001 report, which have remained true all along, it says: 

The key finding was that warfighting, logistics and monetary benefits occur when weapons systems are made more fuel-efficient, but those benefits are not valued or emphasized in the requirements and acquisition processes. This is because DoD’s business processes do not explicitly, routinely or systematically consider either the energy problem or opportunities to address it. The [2001] report found that the requirements process does not require energy efficiency in deployed systems, the acquisition process does not value it, the procurement process does not recognize it, and the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System (PPBES) process does not provide it visibility when considering investment decisions.

Ouch, that hurts. But there's good reason to believe 2009 is finally going to usher in some big changes. In fact, you'll see some of them very soon. Stay tuned.