The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Dahlgren, Virginia, is at a crucial point in its history. We are striving to chart a course into the future that will build on our past strengths, develop new capabilities, assure our continued contribution to the Navy -- and to do all of this in a time of uncertainty about what the future holds. The complex environment in which we operate has changed -- and will continue to change, in ways that cannot be accurately predicted. But there is one aspect of our future that is both certain and timeless. We, along with the rest of the in-house Navy research and development community, will continue to have a grave responsibility: to serve as the "technical conscience" of the Navy in acquiring the warfighting capabilities needed to protect our Nation's security. This is our continuing and overriding purpose. At the same time, we have near-term obligations and commitments to those we serve most directly -- the sponsors of our current programs -- and while these often take priority, we must never let them take precedence over our fundamental purpose. This is the most significant challenge facing management at all levels at the Center -- to recognize and understand the difference between what is good for the Navy in the short run and what is best for the Navy in the long run, and to act in accordance with the long-term view. This publication is divided into the following sections: NSWC's Purpose and Operating Philosophy; NSWC's Approach to Planning; the Future Character of the Center; the Future Posture of the Center; Future Directions in Sector Guidance and Department Guidance; the Center's Goals; Management Issues; Near-Term Objectives with Regard to Strategic Management, Internal Administration, and External Operations; Resource Boards; the Role of the Individual Employee; and A Retrospective Look at the Future.