Pentagon losing cutting edge on weapons innovation, needs 'massive kick in the pants,' say defense leaders

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., suggested that the U.S. may need to start thinking about offensive cyber missions. 

"When it comes to cyber, we’ve got to change the rules of engagement," he said. "China is eating our boxed lunch in the energy area, in our cellular phone infrastructure, they’re trying to get into Wall Street, they’re trying to get into agriculture." 

"We’re really good on cyberintelligence but we have [rules of engagement] that do not let us do nearly what China or Russia does," he continued. "I don’t think it’s like taking punches to the face, saying ‘can I have another.’"

"We’ve got to be able to allow cyber command to fight fire with fire. I wouldn’t even advertise it that much. Just carry a big stick and, get them back."

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pentagon-losing-cutting-edge-weapons-innovation-needs-massive-kick-pants-say-defense-leaders