Rapid Research and Development: The Operational Commander's Ultimate Smart Weapon
Abstract
The limitless capacity of America's industrial power must be available to our unified and specified commanders to influence the outcome of future conflicts. Today's defense acquisition system does not allow this weapon to be used by the operational commander because of over regulation and congressional micro management. The capability exists in America's industrial base to produce weapons using CAD/CAM technology to meet real time battlefield needs. The last fifty years holds successful examples of rapid research and development successes, but all outside of the standard acquisition system. The Air Staff developed an effective process to reroute these requirements through the 'system' during DESERT STORM and called it the Rapid Response Process(RRP). This RRP is the foundation for the changes I recommend to the unified and specified command J-8 staffs to facilitate future operational commander's needs. These recommendations include a Secretary of Defense level designation of a requirements review board (made up of J-8 staff) to dole out operationally required projects to the services for real time development. These projects would be funded by the services, out of existing funds. This process would be formalized and exercised to insure it would function in war time. These recommendations would allow the operational commander to bring the full weight of America's industrial prowess to bear on a conflict for it's successful resolution. Research and development, CAD/CAM, Acquisition, Procurement, Operational level of war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 18, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA264452
Entities
People
- James H. Lynch
Organizations
- Naval War College