FROM THE DIRECTOR OF


ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT RONA LD R. R ICH A R DSON JR .


BLAZING OUR TRAIL


RDT&E is critical to everything we do in Army acquisition.


T


he 2019 Army Modernization Strategy challenged the Army to achieve 10X overmatch over the next decade. We can only become more lethal and glob- ally dominant if we develop and enhance our


capabilities, continue to test and refine operating concepts, draw on emerging technologies, and anticipate changes in the oper- ating environment. Research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) is at the cornerstone of these efforts.


I was at Program Executive Office Soldier for the development of both the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) and the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW). Both programs leveraged significant RDT&E efforts to integrate and bring the technologies to fruition. We worked extensively with both industry and our Army laboratories for thermal and low-light capabilities, fire-control capabilities and ammunition, leverag- ing all relevant corporate, internal and government research and development capabilities and funding to identify the right tech- nology and pull those capabilities into the program.


Ten we tested.


We leveraged multiple Soldier touch points to ensure the capabil- ity was evolving to meet user needs, refining both the requirements and the capabilities as we went—constantly pushing the enve- lope of technology.


Both programs completed undeniably successful rapid prototyp- ing efforts. Tis achievement is the result of a huge integration effort made up of tireless Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW)


114 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2022


professionals and teams, across the entire Army acquisition enter- prise, working in sync to refine requirements, insert technology and deliver cutting-edge capabilities to the force.


RESEARCH REALIZED


Next Generation Squad Weapons—like this one being tested at Fort Dix, New Jersey—used significant RDT&E efforts to bring the technology to fruition. (Photo by Kevin C. Mcdevitt, U.S. Army Support Activity)


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