Will These Four Defense Innovation Reforms Improve Industry’s Lot?

When everyone is accountable, who is actually responsible?I can’t help but think of this question as I consider the flurry of new top-down activity on acquisition reform and modernization. In January 2026, the Defense Department and White House released four new initiatives: two memorandums on the defense innovation system and AI, an executive order on defense industry standards, and a new pilot program outlining no-fee commercial evaluation licenses. These initiatives are the latest in a series of acquisition and process reforms designed to transform how the Pentagon operates and does business with industry.Although these initiatives are a step in the

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