ARPA is de-emphasizing research in targeting and weapons delivery in favor of the first two priorities. The third priority is simulation for a continuous war environment, involving innovation and interoperability. Lynn notes that the agency already heavily is emphasizing simulation, and this effort likely will continue at about the same scope. The agency is aiming to create, within the synthetic theater of war, a realistic continuing conflict in which people and equipment can engage. Defense planning is leading to the development, he explains, of a very dynamic and large digital interconnection of items on the battlefield.
Technical problems remain in establishing dynamic networks of that magnitude.
Additionally, protecting the information from both exploitation and disruption is a mainstay as U.S. forces become even more dependent on information systems. A sixth information system priority focuses on microelectronics for smaller, lighter, more mobile information systems. Among the four remaining priorities, biological warfare defense covers detection, protection and decontamination. Lynn describes this as a serious problem in which the United States does not have coherent efforts. ARPA performs substantial amounts of development work in cruise missile defense, another agency priority.