U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) prepare to call in air support during a close air support exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 2-26, at Observation Point Feets, near Chocolate Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., March 27, 2026. Source: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Seferino Gamez This image was cropped to show detail and edited using multiple filters plus dodging and burning techniques.
The Adaptive Acquisition Frame - work (AAF), introduced in 2020, was welcomed as a practical reform. Its goal was to eliminate some of the longstanding inefficiencies in war- fighting acquisition—chronic delays, ballooning costs, and process-heavy models that left little room for innova - tion. The AAF emphasized flexibility.
It gave program managers the ability to choose from multiple pathways, each designed to meet different types of warfighting acquisition needs. This approach was a step forward, mak - ing clear that acquisition strategies should be tailored, not templated. Under the AAF, six pathways were introduced: (1) urgent capabilities,
(2) middle-tier acquisitions that pri - oritize prototyping and fielding, (3) major capabilities (i.e., major weapon systems programs), (4) software deliv - ery, (5) defense business systems, and (6) service acquisitions. These can be combined or adapted based on pro - gram objectives, timelines, and ma - turity levels. The intent was to make
MAY – JUNE 2026 | DEFENSE ACQUISITION MAGAZINE 27
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker