Pentagon continues to ‘struggle’ with key weapons development timelines: GAO
The watchdog's annual weapons systems assessment revealed new details about high-profile programs, from Air Force One to Army missiles.
Recent DoD changes risk fielding weapons with hidden problems, watchdog warns
Major workforce reductions at DOT&E have led to "action officers" being assigned more programs, programs in warfare areas for which they lack expertise, or both, GAO said.
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Built for another era, our air-and-missile-defense industrial base needs more builders
New entrants are filling unmet needs in air-and-missile defense.
Space Force doubles down on acquisition reform ahead of DoD moves
Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy walked through activities to flesh out former space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli's "nine space acquisition tenets" that showcased how the Space Force is positioned to meet expected guidance from new Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for accelerating weapons system development.
Space acquisition review calls for cutting red tape, empowering acquisition chief
The Defense Business Board study, however, recommends against folding the NRO and MDA into the Space Force.
Army moving ERCA, LTAMDS from rapid prototyping to major capability acquisition
The Army decided to transition ERCA after DoD denied providing the service with a wavier to keep the program under the rapid prototyping umbrella, GAO said.
Rapid updates, flexible authorities key for modern combat, says Army acquisition chief
Assistant Secretary Doug Bush defended the controversial Middle-Tier Acquisition process and said he wanted to use the streamlined Software Pathway more, arguing speed is life on constantly evolving battlefields.
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Automation vs autonomy: What will shape the future of battlefield drones?
While humans must stay in the loop for kinetic decisions, empowering drones to operate autonomously is a force multiplier.
‘Unclear’ reporting guidance, ‘inaccurate’ data hamper Mid-Tier Acquisition oversight: GAO
The watchdog report in particular hones in on concerns about a lack of transparency in service and Pentagon component MTA programs.
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 tightening rules for non-traditional contracts in wake of internal audit
An audit by the DoD Inspector General found that while federal law "allows for one of 4 conditions for a prototype OT award," Pentagon rules contain "no requirement to validate that the contractor met those conditions," an OIG spokesperson told Breaking Defense.
Citing routine cost jumps, Senate appropriators add to Middle Tier authority concerns
“You always have to be careful when we streamline a process,” David Norquist, recently installed as president and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association, told Breaking Defense.
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Scaling AI for Defense Teams Without Increasing Data Risk
AI is expanding the mission data footprint across defense environments, increasing the need for scalable, layered data-at-rest (DAR) protection.
Speed vs. oversight: Middle Tier Acquisition draws lawmakers’ concern
When it comes to MTAs, Eric Lofgren, a defense acquisition specialist at George Mason University, told Breaking Defense that "GAO and OSD seem to be struggling with how to baseline and conduct oversight of these programs."
SOCOM To Test Anti-Aging Pill Next Year
“These efforts are not about creating physical traits that don't already exist naturally. This is about enhancing the mission readiness of our forces by improving performance characteristics that typically decline with age," Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, SOCOM spokesperson, said.
Army Reboots OMFV, 2026 Deadline Dropped
After rejecting prototype vehicles built at industry’s expense, the Army is starting over with a competition for low-cost ‘digital prototypes.’ When will they physically build something? TBD.
Choose Your Own Acquisition Adventure: Ellen Lord
The Pentagon’s top buyer, Ellen Lord, is rewriting regulations from a one-size-fits-all approach to let officials pick the best procurement pathway for their particular program.