Overview
Title
U.S. Army Science Board; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Army had planned a meeting to talk about future battlefield ideas and new army vehicles, but they suddenly had to cancel it. They didn't say why, and they didn't give the usual advance notice, but they got special permission for this.
Summary AI
The Department of the Army announced the cancellation of a previously scheduled Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the U.S. Army Science Board, initially set for January 5, 2021. The meeting was intended for board members to assess and vote on a study about the 2040 battlefield and its implications for combat vehicle technologies. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the notice of cancellation did not meet the usual 15-day notification requirement, but a waiver was granted. For further inquiries, individuals can contact Ms. Heather J. Gerard or Ms. Gloria Mudge through email or visit the Army Science Board's website.
Abstract
The Department of the Army published a notice of a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the U.S. Army Science Board (ASB) in the Federal Register on Monday, December 21, 2020. The purpose of the meeting on January 5, 2021 was for ASB members to review, deliberate, and vote on the findings and recommendations on the following study: "An Independent Assessment of the 2040 Battlefield and its Implications for 5th Generation Combat Vehicle Technologies". The meeting on January 5, 2021 is cancelled.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register, titled "U.S. Army Science Board; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting," announces the cancellation of a scheduled meeting by the U.S. Army. This meeting was intended for January 5, 2021, and was supposed to focus on reviewing and voting on a study involving 5th generation combat vehicle technologies and the battlefield landscape of 2040. The notice informs the public about this cancellation and details the waiver of the usual 15-day notification requirement due to uncontrollable circumstances.
General Summary
The U.S. Army intended to hold a meeting through the Army Science Board to evaluate and make decisions on significant future combat technology issues. Unfortunately, this meeting was cancelled, disrupting the process. Contact details were provided for those seeking more information or clarification regarding this cancellation.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several important issues arise from this document:
Lack of Transparency: The reason for canceling the meeting is not disclosed. This lack of transparency could create public speculation or concern over the Army's project assessment and decision-making processes.
Impact on Study Evaluation: The cancellation leaves a critical gap in reviewing the study on future combat vehicles. It is unclear how or when this will be rescheduled, leaving the evaluation process for these technological advancements at a standstill.
Regulatory Compliance: Although the waiver of the 15-day notification requirement is mentioned, the document does not provide details on what "circumstances beyond control" led to the waiver. This leaves questions regarding compliance with regulatory standards.
Insufficient Guidance on Contact: While contact information is provided, the document does not specify who the primary contact should be or in what scenarios each person should be approached, potentially causing confusion for those seeking further information.
Public Impact
Broadly, the cancellation of this meeting affects public trust and interest in how government and military projects are evaluated and decided upon. It might cause concerns about transparency and the efficiency of military planning processes due to the lack of clear communication and scheduling.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders directly involved or interested in defense technology, notably industries and specialists in combat vehicle research and development, the cancellation could mean delays in advancing new technologies related to future battlefield needs. The delay may impact governmental contracting and funding decisions, ultimately influencing the pace and direction of military technological advancements.
The lack of clear guidance on when this evaluation will proceed can disrupt planning and strategic considerations at different organizational levels within the Department of Defense and among contractors. This underscores the need for improved communication and clarity in such significant military advisory proceedings.
Issues
• The document does not specify the reason for the cancellation of the meeting, leaving a lack of transparency regarding why the meeting could not be held.
• There is no detailed explanation regarding the implications of not holding the meeting on January 5, 2021, especially concerning the study on 'An Independent Assessment of the 2040 Battlefield and its Implications for 5th Generation Combat Vehicle Technologies'.
• The document mentions waiving the 15-calendar day notification requirement due to circumstances beyond control, but it does not clarify the nature of these circumstances, which might be useful for understanding compliance with the regulation.
• Contact information is provided for two individuals, but there could be clarification on who the primary contact is and under what circumstances each should be contacted.
• The cancellation notice might affect planning and decision-making processes, yet no alternative arrangements or rescheduling details are mentioned, potentially leading to delays in study evaluations.