The U.S. Department of Defense is overhauling its software acquisition strategy to open the door wider to commercial and nontraditional software providers.
The memo, part of a series of Pentagon directives aimed at transforming how the department acquires both weapons and support systems, calls for the adoption of the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) as the preferred route for all software development components. “It effectively is streamlining the access of those nontraditional commercials so that they can play in the game, that the defense primes are also playing in,” a defense official explained on a call with reporters.
Under the new directive, the DoD will pursue contracting strategies that favor commercial solutions over the traditional hardware-centric and cost-plus contract models. This shift is seen as essential for keeping pace with rapid commercial technology advancements and ensuring faster delivery and iterative improvement of software used in military operations.
Smaller companies, such as Second Front Systems, have made strides in entering Pentagon projects but have long struggled to break through barriers dominated by larger defense primes like Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. Tyler Sweatt, CEO of Second Front Systems, told Reuters, “Moving away from building custom software using cost-plus style contracts and towards procuring solutions puts better capabilities in the hands of our warfighters.”
To ensure a swift transition, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, has been tasked with developing an implementation plan within 30 days. The directive reflects the DoD’s commitment to adapting to the reality of software-defined warfare and improving its procurement processes to leverage commercial capabilities effectively.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with...
Iran says it will use all diplomatic and legal channels to determine the fate of three Air Force pilots it believes are being held in Qatar after t...
Nearly a week after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, hopes of finding more survivors are fading as rescue teams search ...
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
A wildfire in Croatia driven by strong winds descended on the tourist town of Omis overnight, engulfing houses, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate to safety and injuring dozens, fire brigade and health officials said on Friday.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military drills. It added that it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.
Residents of villages in eastern Indonesia hit by a deadly earthquake that killed at least 54 people were awaiting aid on Monday as rescuers prepared to comb through collapsed buildings in search of people trapped beneath the rubble.
An artificial intelligence agent running an experimental store in San Francisco has recommended dismissing a human employee after the worker repeatedly arrived late for shifts.
Nvidia is teaming up with some of the biggest names in global finance in a move that underscores how artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the world's most sought-after investment themes.
Parts of Europe and the Arctic will briefly fall into darkness on Wednesday, 12 August, as the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun in a total solar eclipse.
Meta said one of its AI models hacked another company's systems during cybersecurity testing, intensifying concerns about how developers can contain increasingly capable AI systems following similar incidents involving Anthropic and OpenAI.
Scientists say the accidental crash of a discarded SpaceX rocket stage into the moon has provided valuable data on impact cratering while posing no threat to Earth or lunar hardware.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment