The primary objective of the ACTD process is to accelerate and facilitate application of mature advanced technologies to solve important military problems and thereby provide new operational capabilities that will make a difference to the warfighter. The DUSD(AT) has the responsibility for defining and refining the ACTD guidelines and selection, evaluating new ACTD candidates, approving new ACTD starts, and providing oversight, support and evaluation of ongoing ACTDs. The process by which an ACTD candidate moves from initial concept to approved ACTD is very flexible but might typically be as described below. The figure depicts the initiation process up to the point of DUSD(AT) approval.
The basic form of an ACTD is represented by a technology program or collection of technology programs which are combined and integrated into a demonstration carried out by the warfighter to develop or enhance a military capability. Generically, this implies identifying significant operational shortfalls, matching them up with technology programs ready to focus on a military application, and responding to a user-sponsor who believes that application is important to his mission. Funding is typically provided by the participating technology programs with supplemental funding from the ACTD funding line as appropriate. This supplemental funding is typically for (1) integration of the technologies with existing systems for the demonstration, (2) providing multiple copies of system elements where that is critical to the user's evaluation of military utility or critical to leaving a useful residual operational capability at the conclusion of the demonstration, and (3) technical support of extended field operations for the user to thoroughly evaluate the concept and mature his concepts of operation.
Each ACTD candidate should arise in response to a serious deficiency in some military capability, as perceived and articulated by the operational warfighting community (JCS, CINCs, Service operational organizations). A primary ground rule for any ACTD is the intimate participation of a "sponsoring" user organization, in partnership with a Service or Agency acquisition organization which will serve as the Demonstration Program Office. Hence, it is essential that any candidate for ACTD status identify and develop this "user/developer" partnership (at least in principle) before serious consideration can be given. In practice, this is likely to be an iterative process initiated either by the acquisition community as they seek to transition certain maturing technologies emerging from their "6.3A" (exploratory development) world, applied to a defined military need, or by the warfighter community, seeking solutions to a pressing operational deficiency. Another major ACTD goal is to promote operational "jointness" to reach beyond individual Service interests and capabilities for integrated, joint missions where this is appropriate. It should be emphasized, however, that the interests of the warfighter are paramount and that "guidelines" regarding ACTDs are flexible.
In practice, the creation of such user/developer partnerships (especially for joint operations) may not be self-evident. The DUSD(AT) staff stand, ready to assist either party (user or developer) to develop an appropriate teaming relationship (in essence, a partnership brokering process). Anyone interested in considering initiation of an ACTD should approach any AT staff member for help and advice. In these initial discussions, the AT staff will endeavor to make clear all the necessary attributes of an ACTD, including the "selection criteria" and the management guidelines. The AT staff member will advise as to whether the proposed concept has the potential for meeting the guidelines and criteria, and, if not, will discuss and suggest possible remedies. As follow-up after these initial discussions, the AT staff may suggest further discussions with other AT staff who have expertise or connections in the relevant areas for the concept under consideration.
Once a developer/user team has fleshed out a proposed approach to a demonstration program, the next step is to prepare a briefing package (no longer than one hour) to be presented to the Deputy Under Secretary. Normally, representatives of the members of the AT/BC are also invited to attend this preliminary briefing. The briefing should define the top level mission need, the ACTD objectives, operational concept, technical approach, time scale, anticipated program cost (with funding sources identified and/or required, including out-year (OSD ACTD funds), the management structure, the primary participants, the anticipated "leave-behind" operational capability and, in general, should address the "ACTD Selection Criteria". The briefing should be presented jointly by the user/developer teammates, with the user outlining the mission need and operational concept, and the developer, the technical concept and programmatic approach, culminating in a clear statement of the end product (the "leave-behind" operational capability). The AT staff stand ready to assist in the preparation of this briefing and the scheduling, as necessary.
The result of this initial briefing will be one of the following courses of action: (a) acceptance of the ACTD as a formal "candidate" and scheduling for presentation to the AT/BC principles for discussion and recommendation; (b) critique by DUSD(AT) and request for revision and repeat presentation; or (c) determination that the concept, for whatever reason, is outside the scope of the ACTD process. Once the concept has been judged appropriate, an information briefing will be presented to the appropriate JWCA team of the JS for assessment and comment, followed by a formal abbreviated (about one half hour) version of the briefing to the AT/BC. The DUSD(AT) will consider the recommendations of the AT/BC and the JS and make the determination whether to approve the specific ACTD candidate.
After go-ahead approval is given by the DUSD(AT), two parallel activities are initiated to place the ACTD on a more formal basis. The first is an executive-level approval of the ACTD's objectives, basic concept, and programmatic structure. This document need be no more formal than a copy of the AT/BC briefing charts with a signed cover memo. Signatories at this level will include the principal sponsoring user(s) (e.g., CINC), the Service Acquisition Executive(s) (SAE), and/or the Agency Director(s), and finally the DUSD(AT). At this point, transfer of full funding from the OSD ACTD Program Element Program Objectives Memorandum (PE POM) line will normally occur.
The second activity is the preparation of the ACTD Management Plan. The Plan is meant to be a brief (25 pages or less), relatively informal document which serves as a Memorandum of Agreement among all the parties participating in the ACTD. The guidelines for the Management Plan are issued by DUSD(AT) and are updated periodically. (The latest version is dated Jan. 13, 1995). The signatories will generally include representatives of the principal acquisition organization(s) and sponsoring user(s). In addition, the Plan will be endorsed by all additional organizations whose active involvement and support are essential to its execution. It is expected that the process of working out the details of the Management Plan to the satisfaction of all involved will take some time and is, in its own right, a very productive element of the ACTD. Nevertheless, it is desirable that the Plan receive full endorsement within 60 days or less after executive-level approval. The initial "kick-off" meeting of the ACTD's Oversight Group should be scheduled approximately 30 days after executive-level approval so as to facilitate identification and resolution of major issues which could delay final endorsement of the Plan. It should be recognized that the Management Plan is not intended to be immutably carved in stone. The essence of the ACTD process is to provide a practical and flexible learning environment in which operations and technical concepts can be traded off and refined prior to entering the formal acquisition process. Only significant modifications to the Plan need be approved by the ACTD's Oversight Group.