April 29, 2025
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Nick Guertin, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, joins the show to share why modular, open systems are no longer optional in defense acquisition—they're essential. Speaking with host Francis
, Guertin explains how a new Department of Defense guidebook cements modularity and open architecture as the starting point, not the exception, for building military capability.
Guertin, who now leads Guertin Transformation Associates, reveals that his passion for modular and open systems drives much of his past work. While overseeing naval acquisition, he champions efforts to make complex systems more flexible and responsive. He establishes a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mission Systems to focus on both the technical and business sides of system architecture. He also brings in a senior technical advisor, Jake Glassman, to help promote these practices, recognizing that senior leaders must stay focused at the strategic level rather than diving into every technical standard.
One of Guertin’s proudest achievements is the development of the Naval Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) Guidebook, which the Navy publishes just before his departure. He notes, with a smile, that the Navy’s early release might have nudged the broader Department of Defense to move faster on their own modular open systems guidance.
Throughout the conversation, Guertin emphasizes that modularity isn’t just a technical ideal—it’s critical to staying ahead of adversaries. Military systems are built to overmatch opposing forces, but when those forces improve, systems must adapt rapidly. Modularity allows new capabilities to be inserted without costly and time-consuming redesigns. As Guertin points out, requirements growth isn't a flaw—it’s a necessity when real-world threats evolve.
The new Defense Department guidebook formally mandates using modular open systems wherever possible. However, Guertin notes that while the guidebook sets expectations, it also leaves room for flexibility, offering best practices alongside requirements. Crucially, he highlights the importance of certifying conformance to modular standards, ensuring that programs don’t just talk about open systems but actually deliver them.
Guertin shares a vivid example from a 2018 ship tour, where a newly commissioned Navy ship is still running Windows XP due to outdated, rigid requirements set years earlier. Modular open systems directly address this issue, enabling hardware and software updates without major overhauls.
Finally, Guertin stresses that modularity improves not just initial deployment but the entire lifecycle of military platforms. Programs can declare an initial operational capability when systems are "good enough," knowing that improvements can follow flexibly. This approach better balances innovation with delivery timelines and budgets.
Guertin’s message is clear: modularity isn’t just a smart engineering strategy—it’s a necessary evolution to keep the nation’s military agile, effective, and prepared for whatever challenges the future brings.
Read the new modular open systems guidance here
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