Read the most recent CSIS research on Department of Defense acquisition policy and contracting trends.
The administration, Senate, and House all agree that ensuring U.S. technological superiority is a major priority and that some change to DoD’s current organization would likely be beneficial in achieving this objective.
The acquisition system needs to reevaluate the way major defense acquisition programs are acquired and move throughout the acquisition process.
Management of defense acquisition programs has historically followed a well-defined structure.
This is a public survey on the Future of Army Modernization. This survey is now closed.
Congress wants to end U.S. military’s dependence on a Russian-made rocket engine. But, what’s the rush? Before hastily cutting off the engines we need, Congress should ensure there is a viable alternative available.
The Packard Commission reform transformed the acquisition side of the Department of Defense. However, it also decapitated the innovation ecosystem. If we are to restore the culture of innovation the Packard Commission will need be addressed.
At current budgetary levels modernization is a third priority behind rebuilding readiness and maintaining force structure. Additionally, any increase in budget will be unlikely to help resolve this challenge. This report reviews the army modernization challenge.
Despite worries that early-stage “seed corn” R&D would be disproportionally targeted for cuts, CSIS found that the “seed corn” R&D was relatively preserved in the FY 2015 Department of Defense contract data. Additionally, this report analyzes the data to identify other key findings.
Questions and answers about a stand-alone acquisition reform bill released by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry.
This inaugural report in the Defense Outlook Series looks back at what happened in 2015, specifically with respect to strategy and the security environment, the debate in Congress over the defense budget and force structure, and changes in the acquisition system, and looks ahead to what these developments may mean in 2016 and beyond.