Quadriennial Defense Review Paper

The United States (US) has been known throughout its history as a powerful nation. The power was obtained by its numerous victories in difficult wars. The Quadriennial Defense Review (QDR) of 2014 mentions innovation in numerous occasions. This plays an important part in air power because innovation is key to any countries airpower capabilities. This paper will discuss those innovations along with the difficulties the Department of Defense has confronted. In order to understand these innovations a brief explanation of the QDR needs to take place. Then we must define innovation.
The DoD defines QDR as a, “ legislatively-mandated review of the Department of Defense strategy and priorities. It sets the long-term course for DoD by assessing the

The truth is innovation in the military is considered as new ideas that will give us an undeniable advantage over our adversaries. This advantage can be obtained through tactical strategy, technology or diplomacy.
Each QDR has established pillars, which have changed depending on the threats. For example the QDR of 2012 had focused in three areas:
1. Protect the homeland- prevent any attacks from reaching the “ shores” of the U.S
2. Build security globally- gain partnerships
3. Project power and win decisively- develop a strategy that will disrupt terrorist groups, and humanitarian efforts and relief
The QDR of 2014 focuses on:
1. Reducing the force- protect and expand critical capabilities
2. Modernizing the force- continue innovation, technology and the way the US forces

The budget cuts will affect certain areas of the DoD, but it will benefit others as well. For example Special Operation Forces will increase their personnel and cyberspace will not lose its funding. This means DoD’s airpower is getting an overhaul. Former Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel evaluated each components needs and determined that there were certain programs that were not needed for today’s war fighting demands. For example, the Navy had ordered the construction of new carrier’s. He determined it was unnecessary and that the Navy needed to focus on modernizing its current carriers. He wanted highly advanced equipment that would fit the needs of the Navy instead. In modernizing the carriers it benefited the fleet with less personnel to operate and spending less time at port. The construction and use of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is proof of the new American way of war. It is cost effective and puts little to no risk the human factor. “ DoD budget reflects impact of cyber, unmanned systems, R+D (Research and Development)” “ Troop levels may be on the way down, but the size of cyber forces are on the way up, as is cyber spending…”