National Defense Magazine reports that “‘eye rolling’ is the reaction that Rep. Mac Thornberry says he most often gets when he talks about improving the defense acquisition system. But it does not appear that cynicism will daunt the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. ‘Defense reform is going to be a significant part of our agenda,’ he said during a recent committee hearing.”  

“It is unclear so far what Congress might do to shake up the military acquisition system. Thornberry has managed to at least broaden the conversation, and has invited Defense Department and industry groups to throw in ideas. The Pentagon’s top weapons buyer Frank Kendall recently submitted a lengthy proposal that seeks congressional relief from bureaucratic burdens that Kendall believes overwhelm procurement managers and keep them from focusing on the performance of programs.”  

“Kendall, too, will soon unveil the final version of the Defense Department’s “better buying power 3.0” acquisition guidelines, which aim to spur innovation and cutting-edge technology at a time when the Pentagon is under pressure to equip forces with more advanced weaponry as other countries rapidly modernize their militaries.”