Creating a DOD Strategic Acquisition Platform

Abstract : The United States must be prepared to respond to a broad set of national security missions, both at home and abroad. Yet many deficiencies exist in defense capabilities needed to support these missions - systems are aging and technologies are becoming obsolete. The interoperability of communication systems continues to be a major concern on the battlefield. A robust acquisition process is critical to sustain a strong arsenal of effective weapon systems. This report offers recommendations for rebuilding the defense acquisition process, drawn from numerous reports over the past few years prepared by the Defense Science Board, an advisory body to the Secretary of Defense. We believe this report offers useful insight for the Secretary of Defense and his transition team to address critical acquisition challenges.