'Reinventing DoD Test & Evaluation', Address of The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, Honorable Paul G. Kaminski, to the International Test and Evaluation Association Symposium Huntsville, Alabama, 3 October 1995.
Abstract
In defense acquisition, our job is to put equipment that is second-to-none in the hands of America's warfighters as quickly and inexpensively as possible. If we fail, Americans could loose their lives in battle. The real issue here is how do we reduce 'acquisition cycle time' to maintain the technological superiority of our combat forces. The Department of Defense can not afford a 15-year acquisition cycle time when the comparable commercial turnover is every 34 years. Without a doubt, our number one priority must be to shorten the cycle time for developing new weapon systems or inserting new technology into existing systems. In a global market, everyone, including our potential adversaries, will gain increasing access to the same commercial technology base. The military advantage goes to the nation who has the best cycle time to capture technologies that are commercially available; incorporate them in weapon systems; and get them fielded first. Shortened acquisition cycle times will reduce cost, increase management continuity and limit the opportunity for second guessing and changes in program direction. My challenge to the test and evaluation community, both developmental and operational testers alike, is to participate constructively in this process to provide greater attention to cycle time. To meet this challenge, I believe that a cultural change is necessary -- one that is already underway in many cases, and in others, one that can only begin by re-examining the fundamental role of test and evaluation in the acquisition of new military capabilities. Sometimes many of us in the acquisition business forget that our main aim in life is to field systems that work and are affordable. We must be committed to program success. We all must be on the same integrated product team -- the one that is responsible for delivering a superior capability to the warfighter.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 03, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA331622
Entities
Organizations
- Office Of The Under Secretary Of Defense