Reforming Readiness: A Defense Modernization Series

A series of posts from the former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Al Shaffer, looks at pathways to drive innovation and modernization for national defense.

As the United States (U.S.) shifts its focus from counterterrorism to confronting near-peer adversaries, the urgency to accelerate defense modernization has never been greater. Despite significant reforms in acquisition and budgeting, the Pentagon continues to grapple with lengthy development and fielding timelines that lag behind the swift pace of citizen technological advancements, as well as development of military systems by other countries. To bridge this gap and ensure the U.S. retains its edge, three pivotal reforms must be embraced: digital transformation, modular open system architecture (MOSA), and as-a-service acquisition of capability, with other reforms in supporting areas: requirements streamlining and portfolio budgeting.

This three-part series will explore transformative strategies poised to revolutionize defense innovation. The first installment will examine digital transformation, highlighting how digital engineering and the use of digital twins can streamline design, prototyping, testing, and production – enhancing operational performance and reducing sustainment costs. The second part will focus on MOSA, a shift from traditional closed systems to standardized, open architectures that enable rapid upgrades and broaden the supplier base for continuous improvement and cost efficiency. The final installment will explore the as-a-service acquisition model, which leverages commercial sector advancements and investments, allowing the Pentagon to share development costs and keep pace with citizen technological progress.

Together, these reforms, offer a blueprint for accelerating defense modernization. This series will provide insights into their implementation within defense and offer recommendations to drive adoption. While focused on defense, the principles of digital transformation, MOSA, and as-a-service acquisition can also benefit agencies across government, enhancing efficiency, flexibility, and innovation in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.