Evolutionary Acquisition and Spiral Development in DOD Programs: Policy Issues for Congress

Abstract

Origin and Aims of EA/SD DoD has introduced a new approach for developing new weapon systems called evolutionary acquisition with spiral development (EA/SD), which it has adopted as its "preferred" standard EA/SD, which is referred to informally (though not entirely accurately) as spiral development, is an outgrowth of the defense acquisition reform movement of the 1990s, and is part of DoD's effort to make its acquisition system more responsive to rapid changes in threats, technology, and warfighter needs. It is also intended to increase DoD's control over program costs, DoD program-manager accountability, and participation of high-tech firms in DoD weapon acquisition programs DoD's goals in using EA/SD are to: * get useful increments of new capability into the hands of U.S. personnel more quickly; * take better advantage of user feedback in refining system requirements and developing subsequent increments of capability; * mitigate technical development risk in weapon programs that are to employ new or emerging technologies; and * facilitate the periodic injection of new technology into weapons over their life cycles, so as to better keep pace with technological changes.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 08, 2004
Accession Number
ADA435457

Entities

People

  • Gary J. Pagliano
  • Ronald O'Rourke

Organizations

  • Defense Acquisition University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Best Practices
  • Cargo Aircraft
  • Congress
  • Contracts
  • Emerging Technology
  • Life Cycles
  • Littoral Combat Ships
  • Military Acquisition
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Procurement
  • Spiral Development
  • Standards
  • Weapon Systems
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Defense Technology Research and Development.