The Army Modernization Imperative

A New Big Five for the Twenty-First Century

Andrew Hunter, Rhys McCormick

• Publisher: Center for Strategic & International Studies
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN: 9781442280168
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: National Security
• Index: Politics & International Relations

The U.S. Army currently faces a difficult truth: without changes to its modernization strategy, the Army risks losing qualitative tactical overmatch. A lost procurement decade and recent, significant modernization funding declines have resulted in an Army inventory that remains heavily leveraged on the "Big Five" programs, originally procured in the 1970s and 1980s. Meanwhile, technology proliferation has made potential state and nonstate adversaries increasingly capable; shrinking the U.S. overmatch advantage and in some cases surpassing it. While current and projected future Army modernization funding is below historical averages, necessitating increased modernization funding to ensure continued U.S. qualitative tactical overmatch, the Army's modernization problem cannot be fixed only by increasing modernization funding. Additional funds also need to be accompanied by an updated Army modernization strategy that presents a compelling case for modernization funding and sets clear priorities for fulfilling future operational requirements.

Table of contents

• List of Figures and Tables
• Executive Summary
• CHAPTER 1 Introduction
• CHAPTER 2 Army Modernization Budget Outlook: The Army Modernization “Triple Whammy”
• CHAPTER 3 Army Modernization Strategy Outlook: A Lack of Consensus about Priorities
• CHAPTER 4 Today’s Geostrategic Environment
• CHAPTER 5 Setting Priorities for the Future Army: Recommendations for Developing a New Army Modernization Strategy
• CHAPTER 6 Conclusion
• About the Authors