𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗦 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
To maintain a strong national defense, it is crucial for the U.S. Defense Department (DOD) to innovate faster and keep up with potential adversaries. While Congress has granted various authorities to help streamline research, development, and acquisition processes, DOD continues to face challenges in adapting at the necessary speed. Without recalibrating our approach to defense technology acquisition, the slow, costly, and unsustainable methods in place could undermine both national defense and the international order.
Over the past decade, Congress has passed several authorities aimed at enhancing defense innovation, such as other transaction authorities, mid-tier acquisition programs, and protections for commercial technology. These efforts were intended to bring in nontraditional companies and encourage faster progress in defense technology. DOD has also made strides, creating the Defense Innovation Unit and launching initiatives like the Replicator and the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve. However, despite these tools, the department continues to rely on slow processes focused more on rigid requirements than on practical results.
Cultural issues within DOD contribute to this inefficiency. Officials are often penalized for failures rather than rewarded for creativity and adaptability, which leads to a risk-averse culture. As a result, cutting-edge technology often becomes outdated before it can be fielded. Additionally, DOD's interaction with Congress needs to improve. Early collaboration on bold ideas is essential, as surprising Congress with new programs often leads to those ideas being unsupported.
To modernize the defense acquisition system, the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) calls for a shift from narrow technical requirements to broad capability goals. This will allow DOD to focus on mission outcomes, collaborate more with services, and utilize commercial products more effectively. However, DOD’s research and development proving grounds are strained due to underinvestment, causing delays in testing and experimentation. For real progress, both Congress and DOD must work together to break down barriers, adjust incentives, and foster a culture that values innovation.
#NationalSecurity #DefenseInnovation #MilitaryTech #DOD
Source: DefenseNews / Danette Baso Silvers/U.S. Navy
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