This edition of the Defense Acquisition Research Journal marks the 25th anniversary of its publication. It began as the Acquisition Review Quarterly in 1994, with the remit to “address the needs of professionals across the full spectrum of defense acquisition.” Although it has changed names several times over the years, we are proud to have continued the original mission for a quarter-century, and remain the world’s top journal for publishing high-quality, scholarly research into defense acquisition issues.

No one is better suited to tell the history of the journal than Managing Editor Norene Johnson. Norene has been with the publication for 24 of its 25 years, and has led it from strength to strength. Her introductory essay, “Defense ARJ: 25 Years and Counting,” tells the story of how this journal came to be, and how it continues to turn out award-winning editions.

The first research article in this edition, “Approaches to F-35 Depot-Level Maintenance: Insights from Other Systems” by Edward G. Keating, uses historical data from other aircraft programs to weigh the near-term costs of increased maintenance for the F-35 aircraft now rolling out, versus future operational longevity.
The next article, “Identifying and Quantifying Critical ‘ilities’ in the Acquisition of DoD Systems,” by James R. Enos, John V. Farr, and Roshanak R. Nilchiani, explores how using social network analysis can provide greater insights on how individual DoD systems interoperate within a larger portfolio of systems.

The final article, “Intellectual Property and Architecture: New Research on How to Avoid Lock-In,” by Chris Berardi and Bruce Cameron, examines the unique acquisition structure of the Department of Defense as a monopsony (one buyer, many sellers) and the pervasive problem of intellectual property lock-in. The authors analyzed a number of software acquisition cases to develop remedies against acquisition lock-in without having to secure additional intellectual property rights.

The featured book in this issue’s Defense Acquisition Professional Reading List is Victory on the Potomac: The Goldwater-Nichols Act Unifies the Pentagon by James R. Locher III, reviewed by Moshe Schwartz.

The masthead has several new additions to the Editorial Board: Dr. Craig Arndt, formerly of DAU and now at the MITRE Corporation; Joseph Ilk of DAU, and Dr. John G. McGinn of George Mason University. Welcome aboard! We also thank the departing Board member, Jacques Gansler, for his service.

Note: After the print edition of this issue went to press, we learned of the passing of Dr. Jacques “Jack” Gansler in December 2018. Jack was a long-time member of the Defense ARJ Editorial Board, had been Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics 1997–2001, and was a prolific author on defense acquisition issues. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.