. "4 The Recommended Path Forward." Evaluation of U.S. Air Force Preacquisition Technology Development. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2011.
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Evaluation of U.S. Air Force Preacquisition Technology Development
TABLE 4-1 Committee Recommendations Associated with the Seven Key Issues Identified in This Report
Key Issue
Statement of Task Criteria
Workforce
Organization
Policies
Processes
Resources
Legislation
Requirements
1. Freezing requirements too early or too late in the technology development phase can lead to a mismatch between technology-enabled capabilities and requirement expectations that significantly reduces the probability of successful technology transitions.
X
X
Resources
2. The lack of an Air Force-level science and technology strategy leads to AFRL efforts that may not support desired strategic Air Force capabilities, and to the fragmented prioritization and allocation of 6.4 technology transition funds.
X
X
X
X
3. Current Air Force funding and business practices for Pre-Milestone B activities are inconsistent with DoD Instruction 5000.02
X
X
X
4. Technology Readiness Levels must be accurately assessed to prevent programs from entering the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase with immature technology.
X
X
X
X
X
5. Developing technologies and weapon systems in parallel almost inevitably causes cost overruns, schedule slippage, and/or the eventual reduction in planned capabilities.
X
X
X
6. Weak ties and lack of collaboration within and between government and industry lead to lack of awareness of government priorities and of industry’s technology breakthroughs.
X
X
X
X
X
The Right People
7. A much reduced and inexperienced Development Planning workforce has weakened the technology transition bridge between laboratories, Product Centers, and Major Commands.
X
X
X
NOTE: The X’s in the table indicate that one or more of the recommendations provided in this chapter address a particular criterion. The recommendations address all criteria in the statement of task.
