Overview
- A draft Pentagon memo describes a restructuring that installs Portfolio Acquisition Executives with direct authority over major programs and shortens approvals from program managers to service acquisition leaders.
- The plan makes commercial products the default, ties payments to delivery timelines with penalties for delays, and establishes monthly Acquisition Acceleration Reviews led by the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment.
- Critical program content would require at least two qualified sources through initial production to strengthen competition and supply resilience.
- Hegseth is briefing industry and military leaders at the National War College, with expected attendees including Lockheed Martin, RTX, Palantir Technologies, Ursa Major, Saronic, and Epirus.
- Supporters cite chronic delays and overruns on marquee programs as justification, while experts caution that speed-first changes and a reported proposal to shift DSCA under acquisition could erode performance and arms-transfer vetting.