The Systems and Analyses Center is a federally funded research and development center operated by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). The Center is sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, as well as the other joint organizations in the Department of Defense; these include the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, and the Defense Agencies. With approval from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Systems and Analyses Center will also conduct research for other federal departments and agencies.
The Systems and Analyses Center is divided into eight research divisions. Although these division are separate, they often assemble cross-division teams to conduct research into cross-divisional challenges. The divisions are:
- Cost Analysis and Research Division
- Information Technology and Systems Division
- Intelligence Analyses Division
- Joint Advanced Warfighting Division
- Operational Evaluation Division
- Science and Technology Division
- Strategy, Forces and Resources Division
- System Evaluation Division
The types of contributions the Systems and Analyses Center has made include:
- Evaluating systems and acquisition management issues
- Providing technical and analytical support for testing
- Supporting contingencies, commands, and operational and force planning
- Advancing cyber and information capabilities
- Evaluating ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), space, intelligence, and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) issues
- Analyzing cost, resource allocation, and national security economic issues
- Evaluating science and technology issues and operational implications
- Assessing readiness, training, education, and personnel issues
- Evaluating institutions, management systems, processes, and support issues
- Analyzing international issues and regional security matters
