ASD(MC), MISSION CAPABILITIES

MISSION CAPABILITIES

The ASD(MC) Mission

Deliver Joint Warfighting Concepts (JWCs) to Prototype Capabilities. Transition the Valley of Death.

Mr. Alex Lovett

PTDO Assistant Secretary of Defense, Mission Capabilities

Mr. Alex Lovett is performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities accelerates the identification, development, and delivery at scale of cutting-edge capabilities to the Joint Force to address operational dilemmas and gaps through rapidly prototyping, experimenting, integrating, and fielding the needed capabilities and technologies to our Services, Allies, and Partners enabling them to prevail in the joint fight. Mr. Lovett previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Prototyping and Experimentation within ASD(MC). In this role, he was responsible for Joint prototyping, experimentation, and technology demonstration activities to include portfolio management and experimentation that develop and enhance capabilities for the Services and Joint warfighter.

Mission Capabilities Roles

Develop and support future Warfighting concepts and integrated architectures

Close capability gaps in support of defense modernization

Strengthen engineering authorities and policies

Conduct continuous stakeholder engagement to support development and delivery of capability to the Joint force, Joint Warfighter, and Combatant Commanders

The primary technology transition enabler within ASD(MC) bridges the divide between technology discovery and fielded operations in the warfighter domain.

Recent Updates

The OUSD(R&E) Deputy Director for Engineering released two guidebooks in February 2022:

The Engineering of Defense Systems Guidebook and Systems Engineering Guidebook replace Chapter 3, Systems Engineering, of the Defense Acquisition Guidebook. The Engineering of Defense Systems Guidebook describes the activities, processes, and practices involved in the development of DoD systems. The guidebook aligns with the engineering disciplines covered in DoD Instruction 5000.88, Engineering of Defense Systems, and focuses on recommended engineering best practices for the DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework acquisition pathways.

The Systems Engineering Guidebook provides systems engineering guidance and recommended best practices for defense acquisition programs. It is intended for Program Managers and Systems Engineers and may be tailored for programs in any of the DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways (DoD Instruction 5000.02). Programs can use the guidebook, along with other acquisition business resources, to plan and execute program systems engineering activities across the system life cycle.

See Engineering References for Program Offices for links to the guidebooks.