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The Future Belongs to Those who Dare More, Today

Valentin Stanciu

14 December 2022

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The Future Belongs to Those who Dare More Today

Humans have changed because they have studied nature and learned how things work and

why they happen. Since at least the beginning of time, humans have boldly dreamed of flying. In

mythology, there is the tale of Daedalus and Icarus. Daedalus created wax and feather wings for

himself and his son Icarus to flee the island of Crete. (Editors of Website, 2022) People could

discover previously unimaginable abilities thanks to flying. Whoever built the first planes and

put them in their armies first had a substantial military advantage. Any capability loses value

without ongoing development and adaptation to the current and emerging battlefield

environment. Modern armies must continually work in force management to modernize their

capabilities by using the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), the

Defense Acquisition System (DAS), and the capabilities-based assessment (CBA) process

wisely.

Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System

The JCIDS process is the starting point for documenting, reviewing, and confirming new

capability requirements transcribed in capability requirement documents. The Department of

Defense (DOD) heavily relies on these responsibilities to involve assessing joint military

capabilities and deciding, authorizing, and prioritizing any gaps in those capabilities to satisfy

the demands of the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and the National Military Strategy (NMS)

(The United States Army War College [USAWC], 2021). Specific procedures and rules for the

JCIDS facilitate the efficient administration of capability need portfolios and the development of

innovative capability solutions for the military. Using JCIDS, the Army will find existing and

potential deficiencies, and then the Department of Defense must build innovative material

solutions (USAWC, 2021).

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The mine rollers attached to the MRAP have saved lives in Afghanistan. The only way to

use it at first was from the outside. The rollers improvements over time, giving patrols fighting in

Afghanistan and Iraq more confidence. Program Manager Close Combat Systems managed the

IED Defeat/Protect Force program. The rollers saved lives and helped prevent expensive damage

to vehicles (Pool, 2011). The Army's Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and

Education, Personnel, Facilities, and Policy (DOTMLPF-P) is an excellent resource for advanced

concepts.” JCIDS implements an integrated, collaborative process, based on top-level strategic

direction, to guide the development of new capabilities through changes in DOTMLPF-P”

(USAWC, 2021, p. 10-6).

A result of a DOTMLPF-P process provides an approach (materiel and non-materiel) to

resolve capability gaps. The conventional approach to determining where capability gaps exist

involves a methodical investigation followed by presenting potential remedies. An Initial

Capabilities Document (ICD) contains the results of a Capabilities-Based Assessment (CBA).

“The functional area-focused ICD is the document that initiates the DAS” (USAWC, 2021, p.

10-7).

Defense Acquisition System

DAS, which supports the National Defense Strategy, aims to create a more effective

military by encouraging technological advancement and a performance-based culture within the

American military. (DOD, 2003). When the Army must buy equipment, they will use DAS. This

system consists of five steps that outline how the DOD develops and gets necessary technology:

materiel solution analysis, technology maturation and risk reduction (TMRR), engineering and

manufacturing development (EMD), production and deployment (P&D), and operations and

support (O&S) (USAWC, 2021).

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The Materiel Solution Analysis

The phase commences with a validated Initial Capability Document (ICD), analysis

instructions, and an approved Analysis Alternative (AoA) plan. JCIDS presents a Draft

Capability Development Document (CDD) to provide greater specificity for the next stage of

development. Before the first phase ends all the necessary funds are set up in the future years

defense plan (USAWC, 2021). In this phase are develop the planning and sufficient funds for the

TMRR phase of the program.

Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction

This phase involves designing and developing competitive prototypes with essential

capabilities. The Capability Development Document (CDD) continues after further examination

of the prototype's cost performance and the final criteria of the beneficiary. During the TMRR

Phase, the Program Manager will plan the rest of the program, prepare for upcoming decision

points and phases, and present the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) with a revised

Acquisition Strategy for approval. The updated Acquisition Strategy will outline the program

timeframe, risks, funding, and commercial strategy for obtaining the capabilities. The business

plan will explain the contracting process, how the competition will be kept throughout the

program, and how contract incentives will support the Department's objective (USAWC, 2021).

Engineering and Manufacturing Development

Third-phase activities include finishing and refining architectural features and reviews to

verify that system performance and production processes match production-ready specifications

at the last milestone. During EMD, the Program Manager will put the final changes on the

designs of the product support modules and integrate them into an all-encompassing product

support package. The EMD Phase will end when the system meets or outperforms all the exit

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criteria for the EMD Phase and the entry criteria for Milestone C. The new Joint Light Tactical

Vehicle (JLTV), which combines MRAP protection with HMWEE maneuverability, is an

example of material acquisition. This purchase needed because of the need to adapt to the new

operational environment. It is a crucial modernization aim for both the Army and Marine Corps

(Howard, 2021)

Production and Deployment

P&D produces and delivers military-compliant equipment. This phase produces and

deploys the product to operational units. When the defined operational organization is prepared,

trained, and considered capable of conducting mission operations during this phase, the proper

operational authority will declare Initial Operational Capability (IOC). Throughout this period,

Should Cost management and other approaches will be regularly employed to control and reduce

costs (USAWC, 2021). The last phase in DAS is operations and support.

Operations and support

This activity aims to run a support program that meets the standards for operational support

performance and material readiness and keeps the system running cost-effectively over its entire

life cycle. Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP) detailed operation and support program. There

are two main tasks in the O&S phase: life-cycle sustainment and disposal. DAS is a solution

when Capabilities-Based Assessment (CBA) finds material gaps.to future Army modernization.

Capabilities-Based Assessment and Future Army Modernization

“The Army CBA is a structured JCIDS process” (USAWC, 2021, p. 3-14). The CBA finds

capability gaps, recommends non-material and/or material implementation methods, and defines

ability or mix of capabilities that would cover the gaps. The Army's Futures and Concepts Center

(FCC) assesses OE's threat and direction, develops future concepts and the Army's

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modernization strategy, and decides new capability and formation needs. The three phases of the

CBA contribute to assessing the future joint operating environment and addressing needs gaps,

and risks for up to 25 years. CBA recommends non-material and material solutions.

Conclusion

Modern armies must upgrade their capabilities in force management using the Joint

Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), Defense Acquisition System (DAS),

and capabilities-based assessment (CBA). JCIDS processes and standards accelerate capability

need portfolio management and enable military capability innovation. JCIDS uses the best,

collaborative process to generate new capabilities through DOTMLPF-P improvements The

CBA finds capability gaps, suggests non-material and/or material implementation techniques,

and specifies an ability or mix of capabilities to fill them. Once ability deficiencies appears and

proper resources have been committed to satisfying the need, the DAS process can start.

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References
DOD Directive 5000.01. (2003) The defense acquisition system. (n.d.).

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/500001p.pdf

Editors of Website (2022). Icarus. GreekMythology.com Website.

https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Mortals/Icarus/icarus.html

Howard, B. (2021). How the U.S. military plans to replace the iconic Humvee on future

frontlines. CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/13/how-the-us-military-plans-to-replace-the-iconic-

humvee.html

Pool, J. E.V. (2011). Mine rollers designed to blow up, save lives. US ARMY

https://www.army.mil/article/70741/mine_rollers_designed_to_blow_up_save_lives

“For SMC Educational Purposes Only”