The problem is that the users get an average utility from the equipment, not necessarily the optimal. The average utility of my laptop includes how well it will do as a club if I have to use it in that capacity in a dark alley. It’s true that my laptop was optimized to process data, but if I had to fight in what I wore and carried, then I guess I’d be sharpening the edges of the Sony Vaio.

There is apparently a debate between those who believe the future of warfare is traditional combat and those who think that the small wars trend will continue. I guess a mix of equipment will be bought. If the future of warfare is high intensity, people will be fighting enemy armored divisions with COIN equipment. If it turns out to be low-intensity, then the day may come when F-22s are used for close air support.