Node A6 · Acronym decoder
AAF
Adaptive Acquisition Framework
What it actually means
The DoD's umbrella structure of six acquisition pathways — major capability, middle tier, urgent, software, services, and business systems — introduced so programs can pick a process sized to what they're buying instead of forcing everything through one waterfall. Choosing the pathway is now one of the first and most consequential decisions a program office makes.
Where you'll meet it
Program strategy discussions and DoDI 5000.02; every kickoff briefing now names its pathway.