Service/OSD interface in the initiation of major defense systems acquisition

The acquisition of major defense systems has become a matter of concern to the Congress of the United States and in the eyes of the nation's populace as a whole. As in any major research and development effort, both in the Department of Defense and in civilian industry, early planning and sound decision-making at the inception of a program are key to the future success of the program. The responsibilities and roles of the Service Components and the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the initiation of defense system acquisition must be clearly defined and well coordinated if the early planning and decision-making are to be sound and effective. Current DoD policies are tending toward clearer definition of these responsibilities and roles, but there are still improvements which should be made. This review reviews the history of management of defense system acquisition, presents the current procedures and practices employed in program initiation, and concludes with specific suggestions for streamlining certain aspects of the system acquisition process which pertain to the initiation of a major defense system acquisition.