MITRE has called for the federal government to modernize defense acquisition and strengthen supply chains by cooperating with international partners and allies.

The not-for-profit organization said its white paper, published Thursday, offers 12 tangible steps to accelerate acquisition reform at the Department of Defense.

The paper was developed using insights from congressional, defense and industry leaders who attended MITRE’s Breaking Barriers Acquisition Summit in May.

Learn more about innovative contracting method and other acquistion reform efforts at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31 at the Hilton McLean!

MITRE’s Recommendations for Accelerating Acquisition

The paper’s 12-step recommendations include changes at the policy level and utilizing existing international partnerships to develop a wider range of opportunities.

For instance, it mentioned Pillar Two of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States partnership, which focuses on research and development of new defense capabilities. MITRE pointed out that Pillar Two will explore technologies critical to the Golden Dome project and other programs. The Pentagon must develop a roadmap to ensure that the objectives of Pillar Two are realized.

MITRE also recommended that the DOD establish a Requirements, Acquisition and Programming Integration Directorate, or RAPID, initial operating capability for international collaboration within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. RAPID will be granted with short-term policy exemptions to test acquisition reforms and speed up the integration and delivery of capabilities with allies.

The paper is also urging the DOD to consider an Allied Implementation Review System to facilitate trade of critical technologies, such as artificial intelligence and hypersonics, with the nation’s closest allies.

During his speech at the Breaking Barriers Summit, Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, emphasized the importance of allies and partners in addressing threats.

“We must break down the barriers to cooperation for data sharing and interoperability by aligning standards and reevaluating restrictions hindering collaboration. Our most powerful advantage remains our relationships with industry and with our allies and partners,” he said. “By breaking down barriers and fostering collaboration, we can and will maintain our technical edge and preserve peace and prosperity.”

Purdue University and Los Alamos National Laboratory, or LANL,  have signed a memorandum of understanding to partner on research focusing on national security and advanced technologies. The MOU, which was signed on July 14 by Purdue University President Mung Chiang and LANL Director Thom Mason, aims to establish a platform for shared research innovation and workforce development in line with national priorities, Purdue University said in a press release on Wednesday. The MOU will last until 2030. 

Find out more about DOD spending priorities for hypersonics, cybersecurity and other advanced technologies at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31 at the Hilton McLean!
 

Scope of Purdue University, Los Alamos’ Memorandum of Understanding

Under the MOU, Purdue University and LANL have agreed to team up on joint research projects in areas including materials for hypersonic weapons, cybersecurity, computational modeling and simulation of artificial intelligence technologies, and energetics. The agreement also allows LANL to set up a duty office near the university for easier collaboration between researchers from both parties. 

Remarks by Purdue University’s Mung Chiang, Los Alamos’ Thom Mason
 

Commenting on the agreement, Chiang said, “This MOU creates a new framework for partnering in the research capabilities and infrastructures of both Purdue and Los Alamos to make critical advances that strengthen our national security.”

He emphasized that it was an “important milestone” for the university since it was the first co-location of a Department of Energy national lab.

Mason said the partnership with the university “builds on a strong foundation for advancing research critical to national security.”

“This partnership will help accelerate progress in hypersonic materials, cybersecurity, AI-driven modeling and more. Purdue is a natural partner in tackling the complex challenges vital to our nation’s future,” he said. 
 

The Senate has confirmed Anthony Tata as the new under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness. Legislators on Tuesday voted 52-46, with all Republicans present in favor of Tata’s appointment to the role and Democrats opposing it. 

Who is Anthony Tata?

Tata is a retired Army brigadier general who served as deputy under secretary of defense for policy during President Donald Trump’s first term. He also performed the duties of under secretary of defense for policy from November 2020 to January 2021, following John Rood’s departure from the role. 

According to his bio on the DOD website, Tata served in the Army for 28 years. He was a commander of a paratrooper battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division and an air assault brigade in the 101st Airborne Division during his time in the military. He was also appointed as deputy commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division and Joint Task Force 76 in Afghanistan. 

Anthony Tata’s Plan for the DOD

During his confirmation hearing, Tata told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he would work with Congress and DOD leadership to ensure that the department could recruit and retain personnel. 

“I believe it is crucially important that the Department seeks to recruit and retain the best technical and digital workforce across the total force, including civilian and Active Duty military personnel,” he said. 

“If confirmed, I will assess how we train and assign our Service members to support their ability to maintain currency in constantly changing fields. In addition to balancing the active duty and civilian workforce, I believe we need to assess how we best utilize the talent of our Reserve Component personnel,” he added.