This follow-on to a 2009 paper on acquisition reform failures highlights the surprising amount of improvements in defense acquisitions in that time, particularly over the past five years.
Sisyphus On the Mountaintop–Acquisition Reform: Past and Future
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In "Sisyphus on the Mountaintop," Dan Ward reflects on the evolution of defense acquisition efforts. It builds on his 2009 article which summarized nearly half a century of failed reform efforts.
Highlighting significant improvements, such as modular approaches and rapid prototyping, Ward showcases successful high-tech projects like the long-duration ULTRA drone and the AI-driven fighter jet Vista, as well as a more mundane example from the Defense Commissary agency.
This paper invites readers to explore how these advancements mark a shift from the seemingly futile efforts of the past, offering a hopeful perspective on the future of defense acquisition.