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1 1 (December 11, 2006)

handle is hein.crs/crsahwj0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS21195
Updated December 11, 2006
Evolutionary Acquisition and
Spiral Development in DOD Programs:
Policy Issues for Congress
Gary J. Pagliano and Ronald O'Rourke
Specialists in National Defense
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
The Department of Defense (DOD) in 2001 adopted a new approach for developing
major weapon systems, called evolutionary acquisition with spiral development
(EA/SD), as its preferred standard. EA/SD is intended to make DOD's acquisition
system more responsive to rapid changes in military needs. EA/SD poses potentially
important challenges for Congress in carrying out its legislative functions, particularly
committing to and effectively overseeing DOD weapon acquisition programs. This
report will be updated as events warrant.
Background
Origin and Aims of EAISD. DOD in 2001 adopted a new approach for
developing new weapon systems, called evolutionary acquisition with spiral development
(EA/SD), as its preferred standard. EA/SD, which is referred to informally (though not
entirely accurately) as spiral development, is an outgrowth of the defense acquisition
reform movement of the 1990s, and is part of DOD' s effort to make its acquisition system
more responsive to rapid changes in threats, technology, and warfighter needs. It is also
intended to increase DOD's control over program costs, DOD program-manager
accountability, and participation of high-tech firms in DOD weapon acquisition programs.
DOD's goals in using EA/SD are to:
 get useful increments of new capability into the hands of U.S. personnel
more quickly;
 take better advantage of user feedback in refining system requirements
and developing subsequent increments of capability;
 mitigate technical development risk in weapon programs that are to
employ new or emerging technologies; and
 facilitate the periodic injection of new technology into weapons over
their life cycles, so as to better keep pace with technological changes.

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