Analyzing the DoD's New Acquisition Strategy More R and D -- Less Procurement

Trends toward reduced defense spending present one of our greatest acquisition challenges of this century. To meet this challenge, Mr. Don Atwood, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, proposed an acquisition strategy that would increase defense R&D spending and reduce procurement. This paper examines how this change in policy could affect our defense industry and national security strategy. Issues discussed include: (a) damage to strategic industrial linkages, (b) the cost, production and supportability concerns of extended prototypes or Advanced Technology Demonstrators, and (c) the negative affects the policy could have on reconstitution, military and social issues. The author proposes an alternate acquisition solution by setting up achievable technical goals that result in financial realism. This approach encourages moderate procurement of proven and/or existing technology weapons systems and incrementally upgrades these systems with higher technology preplanned product improvements. He then proposes suggestions for a national industrial plan to support his acquisition approach.