James Bonomo

Because of the widespread use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), concerns have been expressed that a disruption of GPS might require a national investment in backup capabilities. The authors assess the costs associated with realistic threats to domestic, nonmilitary uses of GPS, and review possible additions to the PNT ecosystem in light of those costs.

Land-based, multi-domain anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) forces can play a role in deterring or defeating aggression. This report highlights growing Chinese and Russian A2/AD capabilities and potential scenarios for conflict in the Asia-Pacific region (centered on China) and the Baltic Sea (centered on Russia). Ground-based capabilities offer an affordable way for U.S. allies and partners to deter or defeat aggression.

Examines how terrorists make technology choices and how the United States can discourage terrorists' use of advanced conventional weapons. Concludes that the United States should urgently start discussions with key producer nations and also decide on an architecture needed to impose technical controls on new mortar systems that should enter development soon.

Focuses on the nation's emergency management infrastructure and prioritises a future research and development portfolio for thwarting potential terrorist bio-attacks against U.S. livestock and related produce. Motivated by the growing threat of terrorism to the nation's homeland, the Office of Science and Technology, in conjunction with the RAND Science and Technology Policy Institute, organized and convened a Blue Ribbon Panel in early December 2003 to prioritize a future research and development agenda for combating biological acts of agro-terrorism directed against U.S. livestock and related produce. This report contains the papers submitted for the two-day conference, provides an overview of the findings and recommendations of the forum's breakout groups, and discusses the wider threat contingencies related to agro-terrorism.

The Office of Nonproliferation Research and Engineering conducts wide-ranging research for diverse end users at the federal and local level. As such, it faces numerous challenges in determining how to best serve its users' needs while justifying its budget. To help meet these challenges, the author suggests specific changes in the Office's research program planning. One set of planning methods focuses on strengthening the Office's connection with the end users of its research, and a second set of methods focuses on demonstrating and enhancing the quality of the program.