How to use the ‘MRAP mindset’ to get US industrial base on a wartime footing

How to use the ‘MRAP mindset’ to get US industrial base on a wartime footing
How to use the ‘MRAP mindset’ to get US industrial base on a wartime footing

George Mason University’s Jerry McGinn argues in this op-ed that the Pentagon can move more quickly if it heeds lessons from a previous life-or-death acquisition story.

‘It’s going to be huge’: Cyber Command gains new authorities to hire & buy

‘It’s going to be huge’: Cyber Command gains new authorities to hire & buy
‘It’s going to be huge’: Cyber Command gains new authorities to hire & buy

Granted by Congress in the 2022 defense bill, the new authorities let Cyber Command handle matters traditionally reserved for the armed services.

In race with China, Pentagon must prioritize speed in acquisition

In race with China, Pentagon must prioritize speed in acquisition
In race with China, Pentagon must prioritize speed in acquisition

Smallsat Alliance Chairman Charles Beames argues it’s time to look past price alone to achieve dominance in space.

To help supply chain challenge, DoD should revive Second Sourcing in defense acquisition

To help supply chain challenge, DoD should revive Second Sourcing in defense acquisition
To help supply chain challenge, DoD should revive Second Sourcing in defense acquisition

The need to strengthen supply chains is creating an opportunity for the revival of second sourcing, a method used until the 1990s to secure defense supply chains, write Olivia Letts and Jerry McGinn.

Does Pentagon need an overarching AI acquisition plan? A key official is wary

Does Pentagon need an overarching AI acquisition plan? A key official is wary
Does Pentagon need an overarching AI acquisition plan? A key official is wary

“What we’ve really been trying to wrestle with inside of CDAO is not to over centralize because the department is so diverse and distributed and so large, that we want innovation to happen at the edge,” said Margaret Palmieri, deputy chief digital and AI officer.

Pentagon lacks ‘comprehensive’ strategy for buying AI tech, GAO warns

Pentagon lacks ‘comprehensive’ strategy for buying AI tech, GAO warns
Pentagon lacks ‘comprehensive’ strategy for buying AI tech, GAO warns

GAO says the Pentagon’s chief digital and AI office (CDAO) should develop a department-wide AI acquisition strategy and that the military services should also develop their own guidance to help navigate the AI acquisition process.

Army special ops put ‘launched effects’ prototype through its paces at EDGE 23

Army special ops put ‘launched effects’ prototype through its paces at EDGE 23
Army special ops put ‘launched effects’ prototype through its paces at EDGE 23

“As you would imagine coming out of a rapid prototyping [effort], there’s numerous options” on how to proceed with acquiring the new small drone system, said Program Executive Officer for Aviation Maj. Gen. Robert Barrie.

Timeline revealed: Army, Bell flying towards FLRAA program of record in 2024

Timeline revealed: Army, Bell flying towards FLRAA program of record in 2024
Timeline revealed: Army, Bell flying towards FLRAA program of record in 2024

The Army chose the Bell-Textron bird based on a prototype, but an Army official predicted “very little” change for what soldiers will end up flying.

Oversight or overkill? DoD faces new congressional order to detail Mid-Tier Acquisitions

Oversight or overkill? DoD faces new congressional order to detail Mid-Tier Acquisitions
Oversight or overkill? DoD faces new congressional order to detail Mid-Tier Acquisitions

While lawmakers worry over lack of oversight, MITRE’s Pete Modigliani tells Breaking Defense, “The Middle Tier of Acquisition pathway is one of DoD’s most valuable tools to rapidly deliver capabilities … to deter China’s threat.”

Pentagon’s new management reform institute aims to learn lessons from past failures

Pentagon’s new management reform institute aims to learn lessons from past failures
Pentagon’s new management reform institute aims to learn lessons from past failures

Led by the Institute for Defense Analyses, this new entity is tasked with looking for ways to improve how the department operates and building a digital repository.

Sun Tzu, competition with China and the art of acquisition

Sun Tzu, competition with China and the art of acquisition
Sun Tzu, competition with China and the art of acquisition

Twenty acquisition experts argue that the US can’t beat China at its own centralized, top-down game – but we can harness American innovation in new ways.

How France aims to streamline, simplify arms and ammo acquisition

How France aims to streamline, simplify arms and ammo acquisition
How France aims to streamline, simplify arms and ammo acquisition

“[I]n times of war,” French defense minister Sébastien Lecornu said, “when we need to go fast and take risks, we need a different approach.”

Congress should stop the Air Force from retiring F-22s

Congress should stop the Air Force from retiring F-22s
Congress should stop the Air Force from retiring F-22s

As China looms, the Heritage Foundation’s JV Venable argues for saving 33 F-22s from the chopping block.

The last thing the Navy needs is another congressional panel

The last thing the Navy needs is another congressional panel
The last thing the Navy needs is another congressional panel

Responding to sharp criticism of his former service — in print in a Breaking Defense op-ed and implied in new legislation — retired Adm. James Foggo says the Navy needs support, not more onerous oversight.