William J. Perry, Secretary of Defense
Annual Report to the President and the Congress, March 1996
"Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTDs)... are an integrated
effort to assemble and demonstrate significant new and improved military capability that is based upon mature advanced technologies."
Hon. Paul G. Kaminski
Testimony before Congress, 20 March 1996
The Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTDs) process is one that was initiated to permit the early and inexpensive evaluation of mature advanced technologies. The evaluation is accomplished by the warfighter to determine military utility and to develop the concept of operations that would optimize effectiveness. ACTDs allow the warfighting user to:
They are also structured and executed so that, when successful, we are able to proceed rapidly into the appropriate phase of acquisition.
Since the publication of the first ACTD Master Plan last year, twelve ACTDs were initiated in fiscal year 1996. Detailed descriptions of these new ACTDs are included in this edition of the Master Plan as well as short summaries of the proposed fiscal year 1997 candidates that are currently under consideration. There are no classified ACTDs that have been omitted. Some ACTDs have results that are classified, and this has been noted in the descriptions.
Of the ten ACTDs initiated in fiscal year 1995, seven are proceeding according to plan. One was terminated after the completion of the first phase because the demonstration showed that the capability, while technically feasible, was operationally unaffordable. Another ACTD resulted in the demonstration of a breakthrough defensive capability against land attack cruise missiles. A third has resulted in a decision to proceed directly into Low Rate Initial Production. One ACTD that was initiated in fiscal year 1996 has already been completed, resulting in a service-sponsored effort of increased scope and duration.
ACTDs are an integral part of the acquisition reform process. We will measure their success by our ability to respond to critical warfighter needs and the extent to which ACTDs provide a vehicle to evaluate new concepts and technologies before acquisition decisions are made.
Paul G. Kaminski
Under Secretary of Defense
(Acquisition and Technology)
Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, USAF
Vice Chairman, JCS