DEFENSE ACQUISITION: Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration Program Can Be Improved

Abstract

The Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program was initiated by the Department of Defense (DOD) to determine the extent to which a given mature technology will improve military capabilities before entering the normal acquisition process and, by using mature technology, reduce the length of time to develop and acquire weapon systems. According to the ACTD program documentation, the ACTD program was established in 1994 in response to recommendations of the 1986 Packard Commission1 and a 1991 Defense Science Board study. The Packard Commission concluded that major improvements could be made in defense acquisition by emulating the practices of successful commercial companies. Accordingly, the Commission recommended, among other things, building and testing prototypes to assess military utility and provide a basis for realistic cost estimates before committing to acquisition. The Defense Science Board's study discussed the need for early dialogue between the potential system's user and producer for a proper analysis of cost, risk, and operational capability. ACTD5 have been the subject of congressional interest since the program's inception. Congressional committees have expressed concerns about the validity of several technologies selected for the ACTD program and the number of assets procured for the projects. Upon request, the General Accounting Office assessed the current ACTD program. Specifically, GAO determined whether (1) the selection process includes criteria that are adequate to ensure that only mature technologies are selected for ACTD prototypes and (2) guidance on transitioning to the normal acquisition process ensures that a prototype appropriately completes product and concept development and testing before entering production. Finally, GAO assessed DOD'S current practice of procuring more ACTD prototypes than needed to assess the military utility of a mature technology.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA356253

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aircrafts
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Government Procurement
  • Guided Missiles
  • Heavy Fuel Engines
  • Heavy Fuels
  • Identification Systems
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Acquisition
  • Military Capabilities
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Procurement
  • Product Development
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Software Engineering