Major Defense Acquisition Program

Major Defense Acquisition Program
Name	Major Defense Acquisition Program
Established	1970s
Jurisdiction	United States Department of Defense

Major Defense Acquisition Program

A Major Defense Acquisition Program is a category of large-scale Procurement (military), centralized by the United States Department of Defense for enduring capabilities such as Weapons systems, Aircraft, and Shipbuilding. MDAPs coordinate requirements across services like the United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Air Force and interact with oversight institutions including the United States Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and the Office of Management and Budget. These programs are governed by statutes and directives such as the Title 10 of the United States Code and the Defense Acquisition System policies originating in reforms after the Goldwater–Nichols Act.

Overview

MDAPs represent high-cost, high-complexity efforts to deliver systems such as the F-35 Lightning II, Virginia-class submarine, and Zumwalt-class destroyer. They require coordination with defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and Boeing and oversight by entities including the Defense Contract Management Agency and the Defense Innovation Board. MDAPs often span decades and touch industrial bases in regions represented by congressional delegations and committees such as the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Definition and Criteria

By statute and regulation, an MDAP meets cost or importance thresholds specified in Office of the Secretary of Defense guidance and the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Criteria include procurement budget thresholds tied to acquisition categories established under the Joint Capability Integration and Development System and milestone decision authorities delegated by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Thresholds have been shaped by legislation including the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 and oversight from the Pentagon and the Department of Defense Inspector General.

Acquisition Process and Phases

MDAPs follow phases codified in the Defense Acquisition System: Materiel Solution Analysis, Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction, Engineering and Manufacturing Development, Production and Deployment, and Operations and Support. Milestone decisions (Milestone A, Milestone B, Milestone C) are approved by milestone decision authorities such as the Defense Acquisition Executive and informed by documentation like the Acquisition Strategy and the Capability Development Document. These phases interact with requirements processes such as the Capabilities-Based Planning approach used by combatant commands like United States Central Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Funding and Budgeting

MDAPs are financed through budget accounts in the Defense Budget process and appropriations by United States Congress committees including the House Appropriations Committee. Funding lines include research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), procurement, and operations and maintenance (O&M) consistent with the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process overseen by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Cost estimates and overruns are tracked by the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office and scrutinized in hearings before members such as Senator Carl Levin and Representative Mac Thornberry.

Program Management and Oversight

Program managers for MDAPs operate in a matrix across services and industry, accountable to milestone decision authorities and supported by organizations like the Defense Contract Audit Agency, Armed Services Procurement offices, and program executive offices such as Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation and Program Executive Office Submarines. Oversight includes audit and evaluation by the Government Accountability Office and legislative oversight via hearings in chambers like the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. Acquisition reforms have introduced measures such as realistic schedule reporting and independent cost estimates by offices like Defense Cost and Resource Center.

Criticisms and Controversies

MDAPs have attracted criticism for cost overruns, schedule delays, and performance shortfalls exemplified in controversies over programs like the F-35 Lightning II and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer modernization. Critics include watchdogs such as the Project On Government Oversight and commentators in outlets like the New York Times and Defense News. Debates often center on issues raised after the Iraq War and observations from commissions such as the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, with policy responses shaped by hearings before figures such as Senator John McCain and reports from the Rand Corporation.

Notable MDAPs and Case Studies

Prominent MDAPs include the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, the Zumwalt-class destroyer, the Virginia-class submarine, the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and the VH-92 Presidential Helicopter. Case studies often analyze programs at contractors like Raytheon Technologies and BAE Systems and examine lessons learned from initiatives such as the Future Combat Systems program and reform efforts following the Defense Acquisition Performance Assessment. Academic analyses appear in journals and institutions including Center for Strategic and International Studies, Brookings Institution, and the Heritage Foundation.

Category:United States defense acquisition