The U.S. Army intends to conduct "world-class" research and pursue advances in technology to maintain superiority in land warfare. This report, which was prepared for an Army sponsor, defines the characteristics of a world-class research, development, and engineering (RD&E) organization.

The Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center (RDEC) is a major element of the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command, which, in turn, is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. The Natick RDEC vision is to be a world-class RD&E team that provides global customers with the essentials of life. The RDEC is organized into the following five directorates, which reflect the essential elements of its mission: (1) survivability, (2) sustainability, (3) mobility, (4) science and technology, and (5) advanced systems concepts.

The technical director of the Natick RDEC requested the assistance of the National Research Council in shaping the RDEC's future role and direction. A committee of the National Research Council (known as the Natick Standing Committee) was asked to (1) define world-class research, development, and engineering; (2) identify the major components of world-class research, development, and engineering; and (3) identify measurable qualitative and quantitative characteristics (and associated metrics) that must be met in order for an Army RDEC

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