From the Editor-in-Chief O
K, so I’ll be the first to admit that our theme for this issue—research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E)—doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. It is a lot to unpack, but
every element is critical to providing the very best equip- ment for our Soldiers to fight and win America’s battles.
To ensure that happens, the complicated and even some- what laborious process of RDT&E was born. It’s not so much a process as it is the elements that guarantee success. Once our acquisition experts get the require- ment, they have to research the best solution to the problem: Is there an existing platform, does it require new technology, and does it need to be tweaked to deliver the solution? Ten, of course, the solution has to be engi- neered and made to work, and that takes time to develop. As the solution evolves, the path to success hits inevi- table roadblocks, doesn’t work, is overcome by events or is rendered obsolete as new technology comes along. Ten, there is the testing and evaluation. Tis is where concept meets reality and sometimes becomes the valley of death for a program or product, because what works in the laboratory under controlled conditions may not work in real-world operational conditions.
How does the Army conduct research and develop- ment? What roadblocks (COVID-19, supply chain and computer chips, anyone?) have been encountered and how were they overcome? Are there funding constraints? What tests are underway and how are they conducted? Tere are lots of questions, but all that and more is what Army acquisition is working on, day in and day out. Many of the articles in this issue cross all the RDT&E boundaries, help get programs off the ground or keep them moving at speed.
Learn about the DOD pilot program to do away with the “colors” of money coming from Congress for specific uses, and create a new funding approach for software acquisition. Te aim is to speed up the process and make it more relevant (and easier) to develop what's needed. In the Development realm, learn how the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments & Ammu- nition leveraged prototyping capabilities, instead of
relying on detailed requirements, to develop new cannon ammu- nition. For Research,
see how
the U.S. Army Combat Capabil- ities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory is bringing Soldiers in for “touch points” throughout the RDT&E process to provide helpful input on what they need and avoid creating costly delays or producing products that do not meet the requirement.
Army acquisition keeps up with current events as well, and just as for everyone else, the metaverse is quickly becoming our new reality. Read how our acquisition experts are explor- ing ways the metaverse can make today’s command post more survivable by distributing operations among many points, reducing physical and electromagnetic signatures, while improving redundancy.
Email Nelson McCouch III @
armyalt@army.mil
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention that this issue carries the winners and honorable mention papers recognized by the 2021 Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene Awards for Acquisition Writing competi- tion. Now in its eighth year, the program is intended to continue shaping the public dialogue about Army acquisition through critical writing in the areas of Acqui- sition Reform, Future Operations, Innovation or Lessons Learned. Tose who have been honored by the competi- tion, either winning or being honorably mentioned, tell us that publication of their papers is the beginning of a conversation—often with a lot of people throughout the enterprise—instead of the end of the competition. I knew Harry Greene. He was a special man and a good friend. If you never met him, read "Life after the Army," on Page 118.
I hope you enjoy this issue, and if you have an intrigu- ing idea, general comments or, better yet, a story about acquisition you would like to share, please contact us at
armyalt@army.mil. We look forward to hearing from you.
Nelson McCouch III Editor-in-Chief
https://asc.ar my.mil 3
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