Rumsfeld-era transformation and immature naval technology

The criticism of Rumsfeld-era transformation concerns the timetable imposed on new technology. Zumwalt is presented as a hull that could have entered service with available weapons, including Mark 57 VLS, while retaining room for later developments. In Clarke's account, demands for railguns and lasers at entry into service turned future upgrade capacity into an immediate dependency on immature weapons. The distinction matters because an operational ship can receive later improvements, while a ship waiting for its intended weapons cannot deliver the same immediate capability. His explanation also links attention to Afghanistan, Iraq, and naval support for land operations with reduced scrutiny and funding for ASW.