Principles for Rapid Capability Development and Adoption

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) is frequently criticized for its slow pace in adopting promising technologies, as well as its inability to field new capabilities rapidly, including those already available in the commercial sector. Despite numerous efforts, including leveraging commercial capabilities, the Department has not been able to implement a systematic means of adopting new technologies, instead relying on one-off cases and special organizations outside the traditional acquisition supply system. The National Defense Industrial Association’s (NDIA) Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI) pursued a research effort to address these challenges. The research team used the resulting lessons-learned to explore how technologies, developed within DoD or commercially available, can be quickly and effectively provided to meet critical defense needs. The report considers past case studies and interviews to develop a schema of six attributes of successful rapid development and adoption efforts. In short, these attributes are 1) high-level support, 2) reduced bureaucratic/regulatory hurdles, 3) available and steady funding, 4) mature technology, 5) manufacturable technology, 6) operational suitability. The report proposes a variety of recommendations including a new acquisition pathway in the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) as well as a variety of changes to DoD policies, budgeting rules and practices, and the requirements process.