Shortening The Defense Acquisition Cycle: A Transformation Imperative. Center for Strategic Leadership. November 2002. Issues Paper 13-02
Abstract
Today's compelling need for all Services to respond rapidly and decisively across the full spectrum of military operations requires revolutionary, not evolutionary acquisition strategies. Initiatives must be taken to bring defense cycle times closer to those of the commercial sector. The current 15-20 year acquisition cycle is not responsive to the Service's requirements for operating in the information-centric strategic environment. Systems that take longer to field than it takes for the system operator to be born, raised, trained and assigned most likely will come under attack for not being relevant to the threat. The Army's Crusader and Comanche programs, the Air Force's F22 Raptor, and the Navy's DD 21 Destroyer demonstrate the truth of this statement. Given the current political and strategic environment if it takes longer than ten years for a weapons system to go from concept to Initial Operational Capability (IOC), its chances of surviving are greatly reduced. Creating an acquisition strategy that is responsive and supports transformation requires more than new legislation and the application of rational policy. It must address the challenges posed by the entrenched cultures of the defense acquisition community and the traditional defense industrial base.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA409430
Entities
People
- Bernie Griffard
Organizations
- United States Army War College