Accelerating Defense Acquisition: Faster Acquisitions Produce a Stronger Force

Abstract

U.S. military superiority is at risk due to rapid technological advancements changing the character of war in an increasingly complex global security environment. Department of Defense (DoD) executives fear the DoD has lost its ability to go fast. They stress the need to increase speed and agility in defense acquisition. MITRE researched organizations across the DoD, government, and industry that delivered capabilities faster than comparable organizations to understand their keys to success. Based on this initial research, strategies were identified across five major areas to enable practitioners to accelerate deliveries to the warfighters. These include creating a culture of speed, managing requirements, systems design, program execution, and contracting.