{"id":41023,"date":"2017-08-04T17:42:42","date_gmt":"2017-08-04T17:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/08\/04\/shanahan-search-for-new-technology-head-in-closing-stretch\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:15:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:15:46","slug":"shanahan-search-for-new-technology-head-in-closing-stretch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/pentagon\/2017\/08\/04\/shanahan-search-for-new-technology-head-in-closing-stretch\/","title":{"rendered":"Shanahan: Search for new technology chief in closing stretch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The search for the Pentagon\u2019s new technology head is getting close to the \u201cend game,\u201d according to Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role of undersecretary of defense for research and technology, or USDR&E, will be created Feb. 1, when the devolution of the undersecretary of acquisition, technology and logistics, or AT&L, is completed. It is part of a congressionally mandated reorganization that proponents say will lead to a renewed focus on technology development and prototyping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shanahan unveiled the Pentagon\u2019s plan for the new structure on Aug. 2, and during the conversation acknowledged the challenge of finding the right person for the job. But, he said, the search is going \u201cpretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have candidates right now. I think we\u2019re closer to the end game,\u201d Shanahan said. \u201cWe have to get the right people in positions. So it\u2019s getting lots of attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked to describe how the R&E role should work, Shanahan described his ideal setup as akin to a chief technology officer of a large corporation who \u201cis not managing all the programs in the company\u201d but instead focuses on big-picture issues, delegating technical responsibility down to experts at the lower levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\t