June 25, 2012 Dan Lafontaine, RDECOM – defpro.com
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. | U.S. Army and Taiwanese officials met here June 18, to discuss opportunities for partnerships in military research and development.
Dale Ormond, director of U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, briefed Lt. Gen. Shou-Fong Chin, Taiwan Armaments Bureau director general, and his team on RDECOM's initiatives to engage internationally to maintain America's status in science and technology.
"One of [my priorities] is to extend our reach as much as we can for sharing and cooperation in science and technology," Ormond said. "The U.S. only makes about 22 percent of the worldwide investment in science and technology. Forty years ago, it was 40 to 50 percent. As the rest of the world is making a greater investment, we have to partner and collaborate where possible if we're going to stay at the leading edge of technology."
RDECOM partners with foreign universities, militaries and industry through its Forward Element Commands in England, Japan and Chile and International Technology Centers.
The command's Field Assistance in Science and Technology Advisors are embedded with Soldiers around the world to link emerging requirements with near-term solutions and provide commanders with immediate access to RDECOM's laboratories.
Ormond reiterated the vital role of RDECOM's international presence in providing the world's best technology to American Soldiers.
"We exist in the space between the state of the art and the art of the possible. We engage with foreign countries, universities and industries on what is the state of the art in all the technical disciplines where we operate," he said.
The 10 Taiwanese military officials also visited Aberdeen Test Center and Army Research Laboratory at APG. They continue their four-day U.S. trip to with visits to Washington, D.C., and Dayton, Ohio, to meet U.S. Navy and Air Force officials.
