Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition is a senior official in the United States Department of the Navy responsible for overseeing the development and acquisition of new technologies and systems for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. The Assistant Secretary works closely with the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps to identify and prioritize research and development needs, and with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Office of Naval Research to develop and transition new technologies. The Assistant Secretary also collaborates with other federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, to leverage their research and development expertise.

● History

The position of Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition was established in 1990, as part of a broader effort to reform the United States Department of Defense's acquisition process. The Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 and the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act of 1990 provided the legislative framework for the creation of this position. Since its establishment, the Assistant Secretary has played a key role in shaping the Navy's and Marine Corps' research and development priorities, working closely with organizations such as the Naval Research Laboratory, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. The Assistant Secretary has also worked with industry partners, such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics, to develop and acquire new systems and technologies.

● Responsibilities

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition is responsible for overseeing the development and acquisition of new technologies and systems for the Navy and Marine Corps. This includes working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to identify and prioritize research and development needs, and with the Navy's and Marine Corps' program executive offices to develop and execute acquisition strategies. The Assistant Secretary also works closely with the Defense Contract Management Agency and the Defense Contract Audit Agency to ensure that contracts are managed effectively and efficiently. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary collaborates with other federal agencies, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Energy, to leverage their research and development expertise and resources.

● Organization

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition is supported by a staff of experienced professionals, including engineers, scientists, and acquisition specialists. The Assistant Secretary's office is organized into several directorates, each responsible for a specific aspect of research and development or acquisition. These directorates work closely with the Navy's and Marine Corps' systems commands, such as the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Naval Air Systems Command, to develop and acquire new systems and technologies. The Assistant Secretary's office also works closely with the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental and the Defense Innovation Unit to identify and transition new technologies into the Navy and Marine Corps.

● List of Assistant Secretaries

The following individuals have served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition: Melvin R. Laird, John F. Lehman Jr., Sean O'Keefe, John J. Young Jr., Delores M. Etter, Allan R. Hoffman, and Geoffrey S. Spencer. These individuals have brought a range of experience and expertise to the position, including backgrounds in engineering, physics, and acquisition management. They have worked with a variety of organizations, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the California Institute of Technology, and the Stanford Research Institute.

● Authorities and Legislation

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition is authorized by Title 10 of the United States Code and is subject to the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. The Assistant Secretary's authorities and responsibilities are also shaped by a range of legislation, including the National Defense Authorization Act and the Defense Acquisition Reform Act. The Assistant Secretary works closely with the Congress of the United States, particularly the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, to ensure that the Navy's and Marine Corps' research and development needs are met.

● Notable Assistant Secretaries

Several Assistant Secretaries of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition have gone on to hold other senior positions in the United States Department of Defense and in industry. For example, John J. Young Jr. served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, while Delores M. Etter served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition and later as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development and Acquisition. Other notable Assistant Secretaries include Melvin R. Laird, who served as Secretary of Defense under Richard Nixon, and Sean O'Keefe, who served as Administrator of NASA under George W. Bush. These individuals have worked with a range of organizations, including the RAND Corporation, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Institute for Defense Analyses. Category:United States Department of the Navy