The U.S. Department of Defense is shifting its software acquisition approach to enhance access to commercial and non-traditional providers in efforts to modernize weapons and business systems rapidly. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a directive on March 6 to prioritize this new software acquisition strategy, aiming to boost the effectiveness of the U.S. military.
This move, part of a series of Pentagon directives, seeks to broaden the participation of smaller companies alongside major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, such as Second Front Systems.
The memo stresses adapting to software-defined warfare and modernizing acquisition processes to align with commercial technology advancements. Hegseth pointed out that the current hardware-centric acquisition model impedes the DoD's agility in obtaining, delivering, and updating software for weapons and business systems. To tackle this issue, he mandated the adoption of the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) for all software development within the DoD.
Tyler Sweatt, CEO of Second Front Systems, commented on the importance of focusing on commercial capabilities and accelerating acquisitions, emphasizing the shift towards procuring solutions rather than developing custom software through traditional contracts.
Furthermore, the directive requires the DoD to prioritize contracting strategies favoring commercial solutions and implementing these changes promptly. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in collaboration with the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, has been assigned to develop an implementation plan within 30 days to facilitate the integration of these new directives.