Defense Exportability Program

The Defense Exportability Features (DEF) Program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on integrating exportability considerations into major defense acquisition programs from the outset. The primary goal of the DEF Program is to ensure that U.S. defense systems can be efficiently and securely exported to allied and partner nations by incorporating technology protection and exportability features during the early stages of system development. This approach is intended to reduce the need for costly and time-consuming retrofitting of operational systems prior to export. It streamlines the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process and enhances the United States' ability to build partner capacity and interoperability.

Specifically, the DEF Program funds activities such as the identification of candidate acquisition programs for export, the planning and design of exportability features, and the incorporation of these features into system architectures. Exportability features include capability differentials, anti-tamper technologies, system assurance, and software assurance measures. The program also supports the development of program protection strategies, the integration of exportability requirements into contracts, and other RDT&E activities that facilitate secure and effective system export.

A key objective of the DEF Program is to support the Department of Defense's broader efforts to build joint and coalition environments by enabling the export of advanced U.S. defense systems. By providing resources for exportability features early in the acquisition cycle, the program helps avoid significant resource expenditures and schedule delays that can occur when export modifications are made late in the process. Early identification and management of Critical Program Information (CPI) are emphasized to prevent major affordability and scheduling challenges.

In recent years, the DEF Program has supported several specific projects across the military services. The Air Force's Tactical High Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) project focused on developing a detailed design for the Mj lnir-E system with exportability features identified in earlier studies. The Navy's Surface Antisubmarine Warfare Synthetic Trainer (SAST) project conducted feasibility and design analysis to define software solutions and engineering plans for technology control requirements in undersea warfare training systems.

Additional efforts in FY 2025 and FY 2026 include the Air Force's Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization (AHFRM) program, which is replacing legacy radios with the AN/ARC-260 system, a platform already attracting interest from allies and partners. The Army's Ammunition Support in Weapon System initiative is developing exportability considerations for the 50mm Family of Ammo, supporting the XM913 weapon system and potentially other platforms. The Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) project is conducting a DEF study to assess exportation considerations for military small arms ammunition, including sensitivity analysis for FMS release.

The DEF Program also aligns with DoD guidance, such as DoDI 5000.85, which mandates designing systems for exportability as a default acquisition approach, and the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) manual, which integrates exportability into requirements planning. These policy alignments ensure that exportability is a fundamental consideration throughout the acquisition lifecycle, supporting both operational and industrial base objectives.