Mr. Alex Lovett is the Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Advanced Capabilities (Acting), reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He directs an organization whose mission is to recognize, explore, and accelerate the development and integration of new technology to maintain U.S. technological superiority. He is responsible for establishing a Department of Defense joint mission engineering capability, oversight of developmental testing and test facilities, provides independent technical risk assessments of major acquisition programs, as well as demonstration and validation of technology prototype and rapid fielding activities.