Department of Defense Management at Naval Postgraduate School

It’s coming fast! The deadline for paper and paper submissions for the NPS 23rd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium & Innovation Summit is November 18. This year’s theme is “Accelerating Warfighter Capabilities.”  The Research Symposium & Innovation Summit serves as a catalyst for meaningful progress and informed change in the field of defense acquisition. The event brings together academic researchers, acquisition professionals, and defense service leaders for two days of exploration, discovery, and dialogue intended to inform acquisition policy and modernization efforts. 𝐈𝐧 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐎𝐃 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 by reviving our defense industrial base, reforming our acquisition process, and rapidly fielding emerging technologies.  We welcome papers and panels proposals that address these areas of concern, as well as any other topics related to accelerating warfighting capabilities in procurement, acquisition, requirements, test and evaluation, maritime dominance, space systems acquisition, contracting and commercial solutions, research and development, program management, acquisition workforce, industrial base and supply chain, emerging technologies, risk-taking and innovation, and technology transition, and readiness. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. Visit the symposium website for topic suggestions and submission guidelines: https://lnkd.in/enuGD_j9 ==================== Shutdown Point of Contact:   The Acquisition Research Program is supported by contractors who will remain at work during the government shutdown. If you have any questions about paper topics and submission guidelines, please DM or contact us at ARP@nps.edu.  ==================== #research #acquisition #defense #innovation #ARP2026  Department of Defense Management at Naval Postgraduate School Naval Postgraduate School Foundation & Alumni Association Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition PEO IWS

Happy Friday! In this week's headlines... ✴️ The Air Force guts its Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)... ✴️ Senators look to crack down on contractor price gouging... ✴️ Right to repair is making its way into the NDAA... ✴️ The Baroni Center has issued a white paper exploring how the PPBE process affects the adoption of new military technologies... ✴️ Space Force has launched a "first-of-its-kind" course for new acquisition professionals... ✴️ And the Air Force is standing up an integrated program office for the Joint Fires Network (JFN). Check out all the details in this week's edition of the NEED TO KNOW newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dziFJEE And don't forget.... 👉 Submissions are now open for Accelerating Capabilities to the Warfighter, the NPS 23rd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium & Innovation Summit. The event takes place May 6 - 7, 2026, in Monterey, CA. Go here for topic ideas and submission guidelines: https://lnkd.in/enuGD_j9 #defense #acquisition #news | Department of Defense Management at Naval Postgraduate School

Continuing our graduation week focus, the Naval War College (NWC) Monterey program at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) held its 104th graduation ceremony in King Hall, Sept. 18, with 71 U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force officers satisfying their Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I requirements while concurrently attending NPS for graduate studies. “Completing JPME Phase I while attending NPS maximizes learning by linking graduate education with the study of the profession of arms,” said Dr. Keith Carter, associate dean and chair of the NWC Monterey program. “This integrated approach leverages the strengths of both the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College, providing an efficient, effective path that enhances warfighting readiness and equips officers with the tools needed to succeed in future service.” Carter presided over the ceremony with NPS Surface Warfare Chair U.S. Navy Capt. Jeremy Gray serving as guest speaker. Since the program’s inception in 1999, more than 7,400 U.S. military officers have satisfied this Congressionally mandated joint military education requirement through the NWC Monterey program. And later this week, NPS’ 230+ Summer Quarter graduates will celebrate the completion of their NPS degrees this Friday, Sept. 26 at 1000, with U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Michael Mattis serving as commencement speaker.  • More about the Naval War College Monterey: https://lnkd.in/g3PNk-3G  • Watch the Summer Quarter graduation ceremony live: https://lnkd.in/gBxhsNFu US Navy | United States Marine Corps | U.S. Naval War College #usnavy #naval #education #JointForce #graduation

Vice Adm. Seiko Okano, MS in Astronautical Engineering ’01, assumed the role of principal military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition last month. Since stepping into the position, she has been directed to lead the Navy’s 30-day “sprint” to consolidate robotic and autonomous systems programs and establish a new Program Executive Office for RAS. Her leadership comes at a pivotal moment as the Navy works to restore confidence in its unmanned systems programs and translate innovation into deployable capability. Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/qUT150WWat7 Naval Postgraduate School | US Navy | Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition | #NPSAlumni #Leadership #Innovation #Defense #NationalSecurity #Military

How do we equip our warfighters faster, while balancing the government's need against contractors' intellectual property (IP) rights? That was the challenge tackled by one panel last spring at "Creating Synergy for Informed Change: Transitioning Technology to the Warfighter," the NPS 22nd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium and Innovation Summit. Chaired by Mark Krzysko, "Balancing Innovation and Protection: Decision Frameworks and Digital Maturity in Defense Acquisition," featured academic research into the thorny problems of IP and technical data management. Experts presented their investigations into and recommendations for transforming outdated acquisition processes, including new frameworks to navigate the complexities of data access, valuation, and protection. Papers and panelists included: ✴️ Balancing Access and Protection: A Decision Framework for Additive Manufacturing Intellectual Property Rights in Defense Acquisition presented by Dr. Waterloo Tsutsui, Senior Research Associate, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University ✴️ Integrated Digital Maturity Pathway for Technical Data Packages, presented by Dr. Darryl Draper-Amason, Old Dominion University ✴️ Time Value of Data Decision Modeling for Major Defense Acquisition Programs, presented by Frank Goertner, Director and Capstone Instructor, Technology Management Graduate Program, University of Maryland Check out the full discussion here: https://lnkd.in/e9fFFC5Y #defense #acquisition #ip #technology | Department of Defense Management at Naval Postgraduate School

Happy Friday! In this week's headlines... ✴️ The American Enterprise Institute is out with a paper arguing that Golden Dome could cost much more than projected - without accomplishing its stated goals... ✴️ President Trump is set to reclassify heavy drones as missiles to enable more international sales of US drones... ✴️ The Army is a launching a VC-style acquisition program to accelerate the development of emerging technologies for warfighters... ✴️ The Navy Surface Warfare Center is deploying augmented reality repair kits that are saving time and money on shipboard repairs... ✴️ War on the Rocks breaks down what differing House and Senate versions of the 2026 NDAA tell us about their divergent approaches to national defense... ✴️ And the Defense Production Act (DPA) is up for renewal this month, and the Hudson Institute has recommendations for making it more effective. PLUS... call for papers and panels is now open for "Accelerating Warfighting Capabiltiies," our 23rd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium and Innovation Summit: https://lnkd.in/enuGD_j9 All that (plus a bunch more) in this week's edition of the NEED TO KNOW newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dziFJEE Enjoy! #acquisition #defense #news | Department of Defense Management at Naval Postgraduate School

Exciting news! Submissions are now open for papers and panels for the Naval Postgraduate School 23rd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium & Innovation Summit, taking place May 6 & 7, 2026, in Monterey, California. Our theme this year will be: 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.   The Research Symposium & Innovation Summit serves as a catalyst for meaningful progress and informed change in the field of defense acquisition. The event brings together academic researchers, acquisition professionals, and defense service leaders for two days of exploration, discovery, and dialogue intended to inform acquisition policy and modernization efforts. In keeping with recent executive orders and DOD memoranda, the goal of this dual event is to explore and promote innovative ways to enhance readiness, deter adversaries, and increase warfighting capabilities by reviving our defense industrial base, reforming our acquisition process, and rapidly fielding emerging technologies.  We welcome papers and panels proposals that address these areas of concern, as well as any other topics related to accelerating warfighting capabilities in procurement, acquisition, requirements, test and evaluation, maritime dominance, space systems acquisition, contracting and commercial solutions, research and development, program management, acquisition workforce, industrial base and supply chain, emerging technologies, risk-taking and innovation, and technology transition, and readiness. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. Visit the symposium website for topic suggestions and submission guidelines: https://lnkd.in/enuGD_j9 #research #acquisition #defense #innovation #ARP2026 | Naval Postgraduate School Foundation & Alumni Association | Department of Defense Management at Naval Postgraduate School | Naval Warfare Studies Institute at Naval Postgraduate School | Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition | PEO IWS

How can we foster innovative thinking and intelligent risk-taking in the acquisition workforce? That was a recurring topic of conversation last spring at "Creating Synergy for Informed Change: Transitioning Technology to the Warfighter," the NPS 22nd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium and Innovation Summit. The "Empowering Acquisition through Education and Innovation" panel, chaired by Frank Kelley of Defense Acquisition University, tackled this question through lens of training and development. Panelist collectively emphasized the need to cultivate a culture of innovation within the defense acquisition ecosystem and address the barriers that stymie innovation and culture change. Panelists included: ✴️ Alan Lin, PhD, USSF, who presented a brief on using war games to enable mid-level acquisition program managers to learn by "doing sets and reps" in what would normally be a years-long space satellite acquisition program. ✴️ Lolita Horne and Dr. Jonathan Barkand, Ed.D, who discussed the Defense Acquisition University’s Innovate to Win playbook, an interactive online tool that anyone, not just acquisition professionals, can complete to both self-assess and learn about innovative practices. ✴️ Dr. Amanda Girth of the Ohio State University, who shared research demonstrating how organizations can shift innovation from hyperlocal one-off occurrences to repeatable, scalable practices that create a culture of innovation. A lively Q&A session following the presentations explored the role of leadership in enabling innovation, the balance between individual autonomy and collaborative efforts, and the challenges of scaling grassroots initiatives. Catch the full panel and discussion here: https://lnkd.in/e2RPU66q #defense #acquisition #research | Department of Defense Management at Naval Postgraduate School

Happy Friday! In this week's NEED TO KNOW... ✴️ SECNAV John Phelan has ordered the creation of a dedicated PEO for unmanned systems - plus two more new leadership billets... ✴️ The Pentagon has issued its final CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) rule, to take effect on November 8... ✴️ Every F-35 delivered in 2024 was late - but contractors still received millions in incentive payments for on-time deliveries... ✴️ Congress is debating changes to SBIR... ✴️ CIMSEC calls for a Naval shipbuilding "lessons-learned" center... ✴️ And MITRE and the Operational Energy Innovation Directorate (OE-I) have unveiled a new Transition Maturity Framework (TMaF), designed to close the gaps between technology readiness and warfighter needs. Plus, insights from leaders on empowering the acquisition workforce to accelerate the transition of technology and capabilities to the warfighter. AND we've just released our call for papers and panels for "Accelerating Warfighting Capabiltiies," our 23rd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium and Innovation Summit: https://lnkd.in/enuGD_j9 All that and more in this week's newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dziFJEE Enjoy! #acquisition #defense #news Department of Defense Management at Naval Postgraduate School