Military operations in the changing global environment require that U.S. forces be prepared to confront a wide range of potential opponents. Increasingly, these potential opponents have access to a vast array of high technology weapons which are available on the global market. These include advanced aircraft, weapons, missiles, naval forces, ground weapons, and weapons of mass destruction. Maintaining the technological advantage in military equipment so vital to the success of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm is critical. As the United States shapes its forces to meet the challenges of a changing world within the constraints of available resources, the potential of present and emerging technologies must be maximized to provide the best possible equipment, doctrine, and training for American soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
REVOLUTION IN MILITARY AFFAIRS
The challenges go well beyond confronting an increasing range of potential opponents who have access to high technology weapons. The Department is examining whether recently fielded and emerging technologies, in combination with organizational and operational changes, will produce dramatic improvements in military effectiveness, the so-called Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA).
Historically, an RMA occurs when the incorporation of new technologies into military systems combines with innovative operational concepts and organizational adaptations to fundamentally alter the character and conduct of military operations. Information technologies are already dramatically improving the ability to gather, process, and disseminate information in near-real time. These information technologies, combined with improvements in conventional precision strike capabilities, affect the conduct of offensive and defensive military operations. Additionally, information technologies are expanding the scope of advanced simulations to include enhanced training, system design and testing, and developments in doctrine and tactics. Major challenges of both understanding and exploiting this emerging RMA are selecting appropriate technologies and developing the means to rapidly evaluate and incorporate operational and organizational innovations.
RESPONDING TO PROLIFERATION OF MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
Particularly important is the requirement that there be a process approach in place to allow the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), in conjunction with the Joint Staff, the unified Commanders in Chief, and the Services, to solve important military problems as they develop and, if necessary, to field required new military capabilities to the operating forces expeditiously and at reduced cost. This flexibility is especially critical in the present global environment when U.S. forces must be prepared to execute a variety of different missions -- facing potential opponents who may be equipped with the latest weapon technologies obtained from the global arms market.
ADVANCED CONCEPT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS
The Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) is a major initiative of this Administration which, as a component of the acquisition reform process, specifically addresses the need for rapid technology insertion into the forces. It is a concept designed to accelerate the transition of maturing technologies with a potential to rapidly provide improved military capabilities or technological solutions to specific emerging operational challenges. The ACTD approach seeks to transition technology from the laboratory into the operational environment as expeditiously as possible. In doing so, it draws technologists and military operational commanders into closer working relationships. Traditionally, technologists have taken their new systems into the field to test utility and assess their potential to support military operations. During these tests, the operational commander was frequently assigned a supporting role and was in a position to only observe rather than actively participate in the demonstration. Based on recommendations from several studies including the Packard Commission and Defense Science Board, the ACTD process, by comparison, will require the operator to play a much more proactive and responsible role. This partnership will result in more rapid, responsive, and effective transition of advanced technology to the operational forces, providing innovative solutions to emerging critical military needs.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS DEFINED BY THE MILITARY
Specifically, the ACTD is driven by the military user and the user's perceived critical warfighting needs. Its objectives are to allow the user to gain a more thorough understanding of a new technology and its potential to support military operations. In doing so, it is anticipated the user will be able to develop and refine the doctrine, tactics, and concept of operations which will exploit the new technologies. It will also allow the user, based on experience in the field, to comment on and make suggestions for improvements or modifications to the equipment under evaluation. With the ACTD approach, these changes can be made during the relatively informal demonstration phase of a system's life cycle. In other cases, user input will provide the basis for a realistic set of requirements with which to enter the more structured and formal acquisition process. This means entering the acquisition process with the full input and coordination of the operational commander. Allowing the operator early and full access to the new technologies will permit a more informed acquisition decision as to functions and quantity of proposed systems. The ACTD seeks to provide the commander with a militarily significant residual capability at the end of the demonstration.
FOCUSING SERVICE AND DEFENSE AGENCY TECHNOLOGY
The ACTD is not a series of new programs but rather seeks to focus the existing, substantial investment the Services and agencies have made in technology programs. For instance, the first eight approved ACTDs build upon $2.2 billion (FY 1995-2001) of Service and agency technology efforts already programmed by augmenting this investment with $155 million in OSD funding to move these technologies from the laboratory to the operational environment. OSD augmenting funds are for integration of multiple technology programs, perhaps from several Services and agencies, into a single ACTD. This funding additionally will provide for multiple copies of systems under demonstration in numbers which generate military utility during valid exercises or operations. Lastly, OSD augmenting funds are employed to provide logistics support for the ACTD for two years of operations in the field.
SELECTION CRITERIA
To provide focus on what technologies to employ, the ACTD process has developed selection criteria which seek to assist both the technologist and the military operational commander in developing a specific ACTD.
ACTD PROGRAM EXECUTION
Because of the diversity of technologies and military problems addressed in individual ACTDs, each comes with its own management plan. ACTD management plans serve as a memorandum of understanding between all participating parties in each demonstration. Most importantly, they are an agreement between the technology development manager and the operational commander. Additionally, the management plan lays out a demonstration schedule and defines the measures of success desired in each ACTD. An oversight group for each ACTD is established to assist in problem resolution. An advanced technology group composed of one and two star general and flag officers from the Services and Joint Staff provides advice on the general process and ACTD selection. Inputs from the unified commanders and Joint Staff are coordinated with the recommendations of the advanced technology group. Complete oversight is maintained by a steering group -- composed of senior OSD and Service representatives and chaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology.
OUTCOME OF AN ACTD
Upon the conclusion of an ACTD, based on the results of the exercises, operators will select one of three possible decisions regarding further acquisition and employment of the technologies.
ACQUISITION REFORM
The ACTD is an important element of the Department's comprehensive acquisition reform effort. Specifically, the ACTD seeks to rapidly transition new technological capabilities into the operational environment. It is not, however, considered or intended to be a substitute for the formal acquisition system required to introduce large, complex weapon systems such as ships, tanks, or aircraft. Nor is it intended to support acquisition of new systems such as vehicles or munitions, which may be procured in large numbers and over a number of years, and which do not involve substantial modification of operational concepts or procedures. The ACTD, however, can serve as a prerequisite in the acquisition process for new technological capabilities by providing both the developers and users with better up-front definition and understanding of new systems. In some instances, the ACTD approach may be able to replace or accelerate the early formal steps of the acquisition process. In other cases, the ACTD may in itself become an acquisition path for items required in only small numbers. Surveillance systems; command, control and communications systems; and special operations equipment are examples of technologies which are often required in only limited amounts and may be obtained through the ACTD approach.
APPROVED ACTDs
As mentioned earlier, eight ACTDs have presently been approved with funding provided by Congress. These include:
In many cases, individual ACTDs involve the coordination and cooperation of several Services and development agencies. As an example, the Joint Countermine ACTD will evaluate the potential of new technologies from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. In a series of demonstrations, the ACTD will test the capabilities of new mine countermeasure technologies operating together to solve the complex mine detection, avoidance, and neutralization problems associated with shallow water, amphibious, and land operations. Previous demonstrations would have focused on evaluating the potential of only a single new technology to counter mines. The ACTD will determine the value added gained in supporting mine countermeasure missions by building a system which exploits and enhances the synergy of new technologies working together in a coordinated architecture. The ACTD will leave those technologies which proved successful during the ACTD to the operational commander as a residual capability.
In a period where the global proliferation of advanced technologies is unprecedented and the generational life of any technological system may be measured in months rather than years or perhaps decades, the ACTD approach provides a means of rapidly moving new capabilities into operational forces. In order to do this effectively, it is critical to closely integrate the warfighter into all aspects of the technology transition process. The ultimate goal of the ACTD is to facilitate the rapid transition of emerging technologies from the laboratory into the field at substantially reduced cost compared to the past and in a manner which provides U.S. forces with timely capabilities to operate safely and effectively in a dynamic global environment.
