ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors discuss the inherent complexity of weapon systems and provide a brief history of knowledge development within the Department of Defense (DoD). They provide a brief history of Test and Evaluation, and attempts at innovation in the DoD from which they learn and develop their approach to changing the culture to achieve a system and statistical engineering-enabled approach for process innovation. The authors also discuss innovation of the defense acquisition program through culture change. They highlight the importance of scientific test and analysis techniques to develop the foundation of the culture change. The authors also provide the future direction of innovating defense acquisition. A source of complexity of weapon systems development is the use of simulations in evolutionary acquisition. Another source of complexity of weapon systems is their reliance on software. The proliferation of electronics in both performance and quantity is a major contributor to increasing weapon system complexity.
