The Defense Department has modified plans for the Navy's next-generation destroyer to reflect congressionally mandated force protection requirements, according to Pentagon officials. In a previously undisclosed action, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council on Dec. 8, 2005, changed the operational requirements document for the Navy's DD(X) destroyer, incorporating the force protection and survivability thresholds -- or "key performance parameters" (KPP) -- that lawmakers now require of all new weapon systems. The fiscal year 2005 Defense Authorization Act says the Pentagon must...