Directed Energy Weapon Systems Acquisition Act of 2016

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the rapid acquisition of directed energy weapons systems by the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Directed Energy Weapon Systems Acquisition Act of 2016 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Committee on Armed Services of the Senate noted in the report accompanying S. 1356 (S. Rept. 114–49; 114th Congress) that since 1960, the Department of Defense has invested more than $6,000,000,000 in directed energy science and technology initiatives, and that the Committee is concerned that, despite this significant investment, the Department's directed energy initiatives are not resourced at levels necessary to transition them to full-scale acquisition programs. (2) The Defense Science Board Task Force on Directed Energy Weapon Systems and Technology Applications (the Task Force directed energy offers promise as a transformational game changer (3) Despite this potential, years of investment have not resulted in any operational systems with high energy laser capability. (4) The Task Force believes that the range of potential application is sufficient to warrant significantly increased attention to the scope and direction of efforts to assess, develop, and field appropriate laser, microwave, and millimeter wave weapons. 3. Inclusion of directed energy weapon system programs in the rapid acquisition authority program (a) In general Section 806(c)(1) of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 ( Public Law 107–314 10 U.S.C. 2302 (D) (i) In the case of any supplies and associated support services that, as determined in writing by the Secretary of Defense without delegation, are urgently needed to eliminate a deficiency in directed energy weapon systems, the Secretary may use the procedures developed under this section in order to accomplish the rapid acquisition and deployment of needed offensive or defensive directed energy weapon systems capabilities, supplies, and associated support services. (ii) For the purposes of directed energy weapon systems acquisition, the Secretary of Defense shall consider use of the following procedures: (I) The rapid acquisition authority provided under this section. (II) Use of other transactions authority provided under section 2371 of title 10, United States Code. (III) The acquisition of commercial items using simplified acquisition procedures. (IV) The authority for procurement for experimental purposes provided under section 2373 of title 10, United States Code. (iii) In this subparagraph, the term directed energy weapon system . (b) Conforming amendments Section 2373 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking and aeronautical supplies , aeronautical supplies, and directed energy weapon systems (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) Directed energy weapon system defined In this section, the term directed energy weapon system . 4. Joint Directed Energy Program Office (a) Redesignation The High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office of the Department of Defense is hereby redesignated as the Joint Directed Energy Program Office Office (b) Strategic plan for development and transition of directed energy weapons capabilities toward fielding In addition to the functions and duties of the Office in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office shall develop a strategic plan for development and transition of directed energy weapons capabilities toward fielding for the Department, in which the Office may define requirements for directed energy capabilities that address the highest priority warfighting capability gaps of the Department. (c) Acceleration of development and transition of directed energy weapons capabilities toward fielding (1) In general To the degree practicable, the Office shall use the policies of the Department that are revised pursuant to this Act and new acquisition and management practices established pursuant to this Act to accelerate the development and transition of directed energy capabilities toward fielding. (2) Engagement The Secretary shall ensure that use of policies and practices described in paragraph (1) include engagement with defense and private industries, research universities, and unaffiliated, nonprofit research institutions.

Summary: Directed Energy Weapon Systems Acquisition Act of 2016 This bill amends the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to state that, if supplies or support services are urgently needed to eliminate a deficiency in directed energy weapon systems, the Department of Defense (DOD) may use specified rapid acquisition procedures to acquire and deploy needed offensive or defensive directed energy weapon systems capabilities, supplies, and associated support services. "Directed energy weapon system" means military action using highly focused sound, electromagnetic, or particle-beam energy to incapacitate, damage, or destroy enemy equipment, facilities, or personnel. The bill redesignates DOD's High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office as the Joint Directed Energy Program Office. The Office shall: (1) develop a strategic plan for development and transition of directed energy weapons capabilities, and (2) use new and revised DOD policies to accelerate the development and transition of directed energy capabilities toward fielding.