Media

September 10 , 2007

News Release

Contact:
Stephanie L. Tennyson
703-525-0770
stennyson [at] potomacinstitute[dot]org

Arlington , VA —The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is assisting the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) Center in Natick, Massachusetts with its development of a vision for the Soldier of 2025. The Center conducts science and technology RD&E focused on the Soldier, and is in the process of developing and defining the capabilities and technologies that will be needed for the “Soldier of the Future.”

The two-day Soldier 2025 workshop included participants from the Natick RD&E Center as well as external participants from other government entities, industry and academia who are forward thinkers. The Natick Center invited the CEO of Potomac Institute, Michael Swetnam, to act as a facilitator to aid and direct the road mapping and forecasting process.

The group looked beyond near- and mid-term capabilities and needs, and discussed the future of conflict to consider the individual soldier’s future technology needs. The group was briefed by Potomac Institute on trends and developments in science and technology that will affect future combat operations and soldier preparedness. The participants were also briefed on the current outlook for soldier systems development and requirements through the 2015 timeframe from active duty Army officers. These briefings as well as personal insight offered by the active duty and retired officers assisted the group in bounding the planning for future technologies to realistic operating environments and requirements of the Soldier.

The overarching purpose of the Soldier 2025 workshop was to define how the Natick Soldier Center will achieve the vision of the future soldier through R&D investment. The vision that is created from the Soldier 2025 conference will influence the Center’s and ultimately the Army’s investment strategy as they plan to train and equip the “Soldier of the Future.” Potomac Institute’s research team will develop a summary of the workshop that will offer insight on the main outcomes and important themes of the meeting to guide the planning for the “Soldier of the Future.”

The Potomac Institute has extensive experience in roadmapping technology development and strategic planning for government and defense agencies, from the high level strategic planning to specific technology development. Potomac Institute is well versed in technology roadmapping, having completed similar efforts for other government agencies in areas such as information technology and neurotechnology.

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The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research institute. The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science and technology issues facing our society. From these discussions and forums, we develop meaningful science and technology policy options and ensure their implementation at the intersection of business and government.

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