The Pentagon has finalized guidance outlining how the military services should run fast-track "middle-tier" acquisition programs, with the Defense Department acquisition chief asserting the power to determine when a program is not appropriate for the streamlined process. The instruction, " Operation of the Middle Tier of Acquisition ," was approved by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord effective Dec. 30. It lays out the policies, responsibilities and procedures for rapid prototyping and fielding programs introduced by...