Buying for the Right Battle: Determining Defense Acquisition Strategies

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) acquires operational systems via major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs). An average MDAP today will take about 8 years to deliver a new system (or new capabilities) to the operating forces using existing acquisition processes. Cycle time is the duration between the start of system development until it is available for use. Programs can execute as planned when program cycle times are shorter than the pace of technology and adversary change. The pace of technology and adversary change is pushing the DoD to streamline acquisition processes and deliver products faster. This paper presents a subset of research performed. It provides an overview of significant factors related to schedule and schedule growth. It classifies program acquisition strategies into three groups and identifies cycle time–related factors for these strategy groups