DOD REPORT SAYS CHINA MILITARY MODERNIZING, PREPARING CONTINGENCIES FOR TERRITORIAL DISPUTES

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

China Continues Military Modernization, Report Says

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2014 – China continues to modernize and improve its military capabilities, according to an annual DOD report to Congress, and is also preparing for contingencies in the South and East China Seas where Beijing has been involved in increasingly tense territorial disputes with its neighbors.
The just-released “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China for 2014” report said China’s military expenditures continue to grow in keeping with its goal of being a regional and world power.
The main mission for the People’s Liberation Army, the report said, is to improve the capacity of its armed forces to fight and win short-duration, high-intensity regional contingencies.

China continues to prepare for potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait -- which includes deterring or defeating the United States, according to the report.
“The People’s Liberation Army also is placing emphasis on preparing for contingencies other than Taiwan, including potential contingencies in the South and East China Seas,” the report says.

The PLA Navy, the report said, conducted its largest-ever fleet exercise in the Philippine Sea.

China also conducted a series of joint military exercises in September and October, according to the report. “These exercises combined PLA ground, navy and air forces in large-scale maneuvers along China’s southern and southeastern coasts,” the report said.

“As China’s interests, capabilities, and international influence have grown, its military modernization program has also become increasingly focused on military investments for a range of missions beyond China’s coast, including sea lane security, counterpiracy, peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief,” the report says. The United States has worked with China on some of these missions.

Chinese leaders, the report said, see this era as a “period of strategic opportunity” to advance national development.

China is using the strategic space to prioritize economic growth and development and to achieve “national rejuvenation” by 2049, according to the report.
“At the same time, Chinese leaders express a desire to maintain peace and stability along their country’s periphery; expand their diplomatic influence to facilitate access to markets, capital, and resources; and avoid direct confrontation with the United States and other countries,” the report said.

Following this strategy, China’s presence is growing in all regions of the world, the report said. This has led to friction between some of its regional neighbors, including allies and partners of the United States.

The U.S.-China relationship is expanding and improving, the report said. In the military area there are questions about the rate of growth. The Chinese have not been transparent about their spending, with U.S. experts believing the country spends roughly $145 billion on defense, far beyond the $119 billion that China has officially announced.

China has sustained its investments in strategic forces modernization, as well as key anti-access/area-denial capabilities such as advanced intermediate- and medium-range conventional ballistic missiles, long-range land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, counter-space weapons, and offensive cyber capabilities, according to the report.

DOD REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON THE FUTURE OF UNMANNED VEHICLES

Members of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle detachment, Commander, Task Group 56.1, guide a UUV as it is lowered into the water off the coast of Bahrain, June 5, 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Lewis.  

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
DOD Looks 25 Years Ahead in Unmanned Vehicle Roadmap
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2013 – Strategy and budget realities are two aspects of the Defense Department’s new Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap, released today.

The report to Congress is an attempt to chart how unmanned systems fit into the defense of the nation.

“The 2013 Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap articulates a vision and strategy for the continued development, production, test, training, operation and sustainment of unmanned systems technology across DOD,” said Dyke Weatherington, the director of the unmanned warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance office at the Pentagon.

“This road map establishes a technological vision for the next 25 years and outlines the actions and technologies for DOD and industry to pursue to intelligently and affordably align with this vision,” he continued.
Unmanned aerial vehicles have received the most press, but unmanned underwater vehicles and ground vehicles are also providing warfighters with incredible capabilities.

Although unmanned vehicles have proved their worth in combat operations throughout the Middle East and Central Asia, current technologies must be expanded and integrated into the sinews of the defense establishment, the report says.

It also calls for unmanned systems to be programs of record in order to achieve “the levels of effectiveness, efficiency, affordability, commonality, interoperability, integration and other key parameters needed to meet future operational requirements.”

Of course, all DOD programs have to face the reality of the budget crunch. “Achieving affordable and cost-effective technical solutions is imperative in this fiscally constrained environment,” the report notes.

Strategy really drives the technology. Unmanned systems will be crucial as the U.S. military shifts its focus to the Asia-Pacific region and puts the air-sea doctrine into effect. In the future, unmanned vehicles will be required to operate in more complex environments involving difficult weather, terrain, distance and airspace. All this will require extensive coordination with allies and host nations, the report says.

“The road map describes the challenges of logistics and sustainment, training and international cooperation while providing insight on the strategic planning and policy, capability needs, technology development and operational environments relevant to the spectrum of unmanned systems,” Weatherington said.

FTC REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON "DO NOT CALL REGISTRY"

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

The Federal Trade Commission published a biennial report to Congress focusing on the use of the Do Not Call Registry by both consumers and businesses over the past two years. The report also highlights how the FTC is responding to new technologies that have increased the number of illegal robocalls made to telephone numbers on the Do Not Call Registry.

As of September 2013, more than 223 million active numbers were registered for Do Not Call, an increase of more than 5.8 million registrations from the previous fiscal year. The Biennial Report to Congress Under the Do Not Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007 notes the FTC recently launched a mobile-friendly way for consumers to sign up for Do Not Call and register Do Not Call complaints, and that the agency received 27 percent of its registrations from mobile devices.

During fiscal year 2013, a total of 2,875 businesses and other entities paid more than $14 million to access the Do Not Call Registry. Another 27,626 entities were provided access, but are exempt from paying fees (because they access five or fewer area codes free of charge or are a charity).

The report notes that voice over internet protocol (VoIP), caller ID spoofing, and automated dialing technology have made it easier for individuals and companies who disregard the law to make high volumes of calls at very little cost. This led to an increase in illegal robocalls, which peaked at approximately 200,000 complaints to the FTC per month at the end of fiscal year 2012.

To combat the increase in illegal robocalls, the FTC hosted a robocall summit, sponsored a public challenge to develop technological solutions, and produced new resources for consumers. .

The Commission vote authorizing the report to Congress was 4-0.