Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and its Impact on the US Defense Acquisition Methods and Programs

Almost 60% of the US Major Defense Acquisition Programs are either over budget or delayed in terms of schedule. To combat and address this, the Department of Defense has introduced and mandated the implementation of the Modular Open Systems Approach through the Better Buying Power 3.0 directive in 2015. This strategy will hope to combat technology obsolescence, upgrade current highly cohesive systems, and increase flexibility and innovation all the while trying to battle cost and schedule challenges.The US Defense industry is arguably undergoing its greatest transformation ever. Under strong pressure to decrease costs, accelerate the speed of product development, promote innovation, and enhance quality, the US Defense Department has been searching for new methods to transform its defense acquisition process. The US Department of Defense is the largest defense organization in the world, responsible for spending about $989 billion annually on technology acquisition. In fact, “the United States spends more on defense than the next nine countries combined” (Kimberly, 2019). Several years in, there is no evidence showcasing that this strategy is successful. This research alone gathers this evidence, albeit largely qualitative, and suggests how modular and open system supporters and contributors can make its effects more effective so that this promising approach can be further sustained. This research will benefit students and practitioners of systems engineering, stakeholders across government, industry, and academia that are affiliated with the production, quality, and manufacturing fields to promote a collaborative vision of better acquisition processes and program success.

Author

• Shah, Parth Devang

Language

• en

Keyword

• systems engineering
• MOSA
• Modularity
• DoD
• defense acquisition
• Open Systems

Date created

• 2021

Type of Work

• Dissertation

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Engineering Management

Degree

• D.Engr.

Advisor

• Holzer, Thomas
• Eveleigh, Tim

Committee Member(s)

• Etemadi, Amir

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/9w032376t