Two ideas critical to IDA's birth emerged from World War II. The first was the necessity for unifying the military departments and services into a single, coordinated Department of Defense. The second was the realization of the strength of the relationship between national security and the scientific research community, which supported the war effort to an unprecedented extent. Unification was achieved by the National Security Acts of 1947 and 1949. To give the nascent Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the technical expertise and analytic resources to inform weapons and force decisions, the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal, established in 1948 a new research organization called the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group. WSEG was staffed by government civilians and military officers and charged with providing evaluations of present and future weapons systems, their influence on strategy, organization, and tactics, and their comparative effectiveness and costs.

In 1955, to strengthen the Weapons System Evaluation Group (WSEG), the fifth Secretary of Defense, Charles Wilson, asked the President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, James Killian, to take the lead in bringing together a consortium of major research universities to oversee a nonprofit research institute to carry out WSEG's mission.

University connections were seen as a means for promoting a working environment that would appeal to civilian researchers, helping the new organization attract and retain top notch scientific talent. Secretary Wilson described the mission as follows: ". . . to provide the Department of Defense with comprehensive, objective, and independent analyses and evaluations under projected conditions of war - prepared by the ablest professional minds and the most advanced analytical methods that can be brought to bear."

Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal.

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) was formed as a nonprofit research organization overseen by a consortium of universities. In essence, the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group (WSEG) - an in-house Department of Defense analytic office - became IDA - a private-sector research institute - with an unchanged mission. The full evolution of WSEG into IDA took another 20 years to complete. WSEG continued to exist until 1976 as a military-staffed adjunct to the civilian-staffed IDA, with varying degrees of integration over the years.

Initially, IDA had a single research division, the Weapons Systems Evaluation Division (WSED) to analyze weapons and systems, tactical doctrine, strategic plans, and operational data derived from combat and field exercises. The closest descendent of this IDA research group today is the System Evaluation Division (SED) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC).

The FFRDC concept did not exist when IDA was established. In the 1950s, the organizations that later became known as Federal Contract Research Centers (FCRCs) and then FFRDCs represented an ad hoc group of research centers supporting the Federal Government. The Federal policies and regulations defining and governing today's FFRDCs were established mostly in the 1980s and 1990s. For more information about FFRDCs, see "What Is an FFRDC?" on IDA's website at ida.org.

Major General James McCormack, Jr USAF (Ret), was the first IDA President. He held the post from April 1956 to February 1959.

In 1947, General McCormack became the first Director of Military Applications at the Atomic Energy Commission. In 1950, he transferred from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Air Force and was appointed Director of Nuclear Applications at the Air Research and Development Center and then Deputy Commander of the Air Research and Development Command. After retiring from the Air Force in 1955, he became an executive at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT), and shortly thereafter, IDA President. After leaving IDA, he became vice president for industrial and governmental relations at MIT, Chairman of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and Chairman of the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT). General McCormack was a 1932 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. He also studied at Hertford College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar, and MIT, where he earned a MS in civil engineering.

Major General James McCormack, Jr.

Initially, IDA was overseen by the California Institute of Technology, the Case Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Tulane University. Later, seven more universities joined IDA's oversight team: Columbia University, Princeton University, the University of California, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania. James Killian, then President of MIT, was the first Chairman of the IDA Board of Trustees.

Later, Killian became the special assistant for science and technology to President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1957-1959). While in this position, Killian formed the President's Science Advisory Committee (PSAC), which was instrumental in initiating national curriculum reforms in science and technology and in establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Returning to MIT, Killian became chairman of the MIT Corporation from 1959 to 1971.

James Killian

In the aftermath of the Soviet Union's launching of the Sputnik satellite, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA, now DARPA) was formed. IDA's Advanced Research Projects Division was established to provide technical support to ARPA in exploring national security applications of advanced technologies. This division later became the Research and Engineering Support Division. The closest descendent of this division today is the Science and Technology Division (STD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Jason is an independent group of scientists, sponsored by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). It was formed initially to attract a new generation of scientists to work on national security issues. Jason members typically hold appointments in academia or other research organizations, and they meet during the summer to address topics posed by ARPA or other national security organizations. Shortly after its formation, Jason became a non-typical IDA division. Jason remained associated with IDA until 1973, when it transitioned to the Stanford Research Institute. Today, the MITRE Corporation hosts Jason.

An OP-2E Neptune patrol bomber deploys a sensor over Vietnam as part of the "McNamara Line," electronic surveillance strategy, supported by the JASON Division. IDA Study: "AIR-SUPPORTED ANTI-INFILTRATION BARRIER"

Garrison Norton was named IDA President. He held the post from February 1959 to June 1962.

Prior to joining IDA, Mr. Norton was Assistant Secretary of the Navy (AIR), 1956 to 1959, responsible for naval aviation and the Navy's research and development program. Earlier he worked for the Air Force in research and development and was an Assistant Secretary of State in charge of international transportation and communications, 1947 to 1949. He entered government service in 1934 as the deputy general manager of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation and later served as assistant to the chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Authority. He was a naval officer during World War II. Mr. Norton received a bachelor's degree from Harvard College

Garrison Norton

At the request of the National Security Agency (NSA), IDA established the Communications Research Division, later renamed the Center for Communications Research (CCR), in Princeton, New Jersey. Earlier in the 1950s, NSA had been working with academic researchers on a part-time basis, and the formation of this IDA division reflected NSA's desire for full-time support from some of the nation's best mathematicians and other researchers. Today, CCR-Princeton is one of three centers making up IDA's Communications and Computing FFRDC.

When established and for many years thereafter, CCR was considered an "offsite" division of IDA rather than a separate FFRDC. In 1995, the Department of Defense requested that the National Science Foundation - which maintains the master list of government-wide FFRDCs - list IDA's Communications and Computing Center as a separate FFRDC.

Initially a stand-alone organization separate from IDA divisions, the Special Studies Group undertook projects with international implications. It later became the International Studies Division, and then, following a broadening of its mission, the Economic and Political Studies Division. The closest descendent of this division today is the Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Titan II ICBM; in 1961, the Special Studies Group provided insights to the State Department on arms control. IDA Study Memorandum: "Arms Control and Inadvertent General War"

The Institute of Naval Studies (INS), which evolved out of the Navy Long-Range Studies Project, conducted analyses of future Navy issues. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, INS temporarily became part of IDA in 1960, pending the Navy's establishment of a long-term contractual arrangement for INS. In 1962, the Navy merged INS with the separate Operational Evaluation Group (then overseen by MIT) to form today's Center for Naval Analyses (CNA), administered initially by The Franklin Institute.

The Advanced Research Projects Division was renamed the Research and Engineering Support Division in recognition of its broader mission of supporting, in addition to ARPA, the Director of Defense Research & Engineering (DDR&E) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Over time, other sponsors with technology-related problems turned to this division for help. The closest descendent of this division today is the Science and Technology Division (STD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Telestar; IDA's Research and Engineering Support Division's recommendations provided significant input into the reorientation of the DoD communications satellite program.

Dr. Richard M. Bissell, Jr. was named IDA President. He held the post from June 1962 to October 1964.

Prior to joining IDA, Dr. Bissell held senior positions in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), including Deputy Director for Plans, a position roughly equivalent to today's Director of the National Clandestine Service. He was associated with the U-2 spy plane, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and other major CIA operations of the era. Earlier he served as deputy administrator, deputy director, and acting director of the Economic Cooperation Administration, which implemented the Marshall Plan. Dr. Bissell received an undergraduate degree in history from Yale University, then studied at the London School of Economics, and subsequently returned to Yale where he received a PhD in economics.

Dr. Richard M. Bissell, Jr.

The Special Studies Group was renamed the International Studies Division, and then, following a broadening of its mission, the Economic and Political Studies Division. The closest descendent of this division today is the Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Following a broadening of its mission, the International Studies Division was renamed the Economic and Political Studies Division. Subsequently, this division split, becoming the Program Analysis Division and the International and Social Studies Division. The closest descendent of this division today is the Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Fallout shelter; IDA's Economic and Political Studies Division (EPSD) conducted major studies in 1963 for the Office of Civil Defense.

Dr. Jack P. Ruina was named IDA President. He held the post from October 1964 to August 1966.

Dr. Ruina was a professor of electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and formerly on the engineering faculty at Brown University and at the University of Illinois. He took a two-year leave of absence from MIT to serve as IDA's President. Earlier he served as the Director of DoD's Advanced Research Projects Agency from 1961 to 1963, and as Assistant Director of Defense Research and Engineering in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He was a member of several Presidential advisory committee panels and of the Air Force's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Ruina received a PhD in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.

Dr. Jack P. Ruina

The Cost Analysis Group was formed to provide cost analyses in support of projects conducted by the Economic and Political Studies Division and the Research and Engineering Support Division. The Group focused particularly on extending the frontiers of cost and program analysis for the research and development phase of acquisition programs. It was later renamed the Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD), which today is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Puget Sound Navy Shipyard; in the 1970's, IDA's Cost Analysis Group completed comparative analyses of cost and institutional factors related to Navy ship construction and repair in naval and private shipyards.

General Maxwell D. Taylor, USA (Ret), was named IDA President. He held the post from August 1966 to August 1969.

General Taylor retired from the United States Army in 1959 having served as the Army Chief of Staff since 1955. He was called back to active duty by President Kennedy in the aftermath of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion to be Military Representative to the President, and later the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a post he held until retiring for a second time in 1964. He was then named United States Ambassador to South Vietnam. Earlier while on active duty, General Taylor was Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, Commanding General of the 8th Army in Korea, and Commander of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II. General Taylor graduated from West Point.

General Maxwell D. Taylor

The Research and Engineering Support Division was renamed the Science and Technology Division (STD), which addresses science and technology developments and related applications to national security systems. Today STD is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

The Program Analysis Division was formed when the Economic and Political Studies Division was disestablished and split into two parts. The closest descendent of this division today is the Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Analysis of 70s era combat model (Vector-2). IDA Paper: "Review and Critique of the Vector-2 Combat Model"

The International and Social Studies Division was formed when the Economic and Political Studies Division was disestablished and split into two parts. This division was later renamed the International Security Assessment Division and then the Strategy and Forces Division, which was subsequently merged with the Program Analysis Division to form today's Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

The Computer Group provided programming, numerical analysis, and data analysis in support of projects in all IDA divisions. Its functions were later distributed among various divisions and resurrected in part as the Computer Software and Engineering Division (CSED). However, even with the formation of CSED, much of the Computer Group's original mission continued to be carried out in a distributed manner within divisions that needed those analytic capabilities.

The Weapons Systems Evaluation Division was renamed the Systems Evaluation Division. This division was later split into two parts, forming the System Evaluation Division (SED) and the Operational Evaluation Division (OED), both of which today are part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Peacekeeper Missile; in 1976, at the request of the JCS, SED examined alternative force levels and various mixes of new and existing strategic systems that might be permitted by the Vladivostok accords.

University oversight of IDA ended in 1968, and IDA transitioned to an independent, nonprofit corporation with no change in mission. The change in oversight came in the aftermath of Vietnam-related demonstrations at Princeton University and other universities that participated in the IDA oversight arrangements. IDA's Board of Trustees, which today consists of private-sector individuals selected by the Board itself, continues to include representatives from academia, but they serve in their personal capacities and do not represent their universities.

Dr. Alexander H. Flax was named IDA President. He held the post from August 1969 to September 1983. Prior to joining IDA, Dr. Flax was the U.S. Air Force Chief Scientist and later Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research and Development during the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. He was the third Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. From 1961 to 1963, he was Vice-President - Technical Director of the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, with which he was also affiliated from 1946 to 1959 in various other executive capacities. He was Home Secretary and then Senior Fellow of the National Academy of Engineering. Dr. Flax received his undergraduate degree from New York University and a PhD in physics from the University of Buffalo.

Dr. Alexander H. Flax

The International and Social Studies Division was renamed the International Security Assessment Division. This division was later renamed the Strategy and Forces Division, which merged with the Program Analysis Division to form today's Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

General Andrew J. Goodpaster, USA (Ret), was named IDA President. He held the post from October 1983 to October 1985.

General Goodpaster retired from the United States Army a second time in 1981, after being called back to active duty in 1977 to be the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy in the aftermath of scandals. He had retired previously in 1974, having served as the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. European Command, where he commanded all NATO and U.S. military forces in Europe. Earlier he was Director of the Joint Staff and Deputy U. S. Commander in Vietnam. During the 1950s, he served as Staff Secretary to President Eisenhower for 61/2 years, a position roughly equivalent to today's National Security Advisor. He commanded units in North Africa and Italy during World War II, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross and two Purple Hearts. General Goodpaster graduated from West Point and later received two degrees from Princeton University, a master's in engineering and a PhD in international relations.

General Andrew J. Goodpaster

The Computer and Software Engineering Division (CSED) was established by pulling researchers from the Science and Technology Division and other IDA research groups. Its original mission was to perform scientific and technical analyses of the development and use of computing systems and software technologies. CSED was later renamed the Information Technology and Systems Division (ITSD), which today is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

CSED provided assistance with President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). IDA Paper: "SDI SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM PLAN"

The International Security Assessment Division was renamed the Strategy and Forces Division. Within a year, this division was merged with the Program Analysis Division to form today's Strategy, Forces and Resources Division (SFRD) in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

The Systems Evaluation Division was split into two parts, the System Evaluation Division (SED) and the Operational Evaluation Division (OED), both of which are currently in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Proposed satellite orbital constellations analyzed by SED in evaluating space system effectiveness.

The Systems Evaluation Division was split into two parts, the System Evaluation Division (SED) and the Operational Evaluation Division (OED). The formation of OED resulted primarily from the growing importance of test and evaluation in IDA's research program. Both newly formed divisions were populated initially by researchers from the old Systems Evaluation Division, and both SED and OED are today in IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Seawolf class submarine; since the late 1980s, OED has been evaluating the test procedures and data collected during submarine tests.

This division was formed by the merger of the Strategy and Forces Division and the Program Analysis Division. Today SFRD is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

General William Y. Smith, USAF (Ret), was named IDA President. He held the post from October 1985 to November 1990.

General Smith retired from the United States Air Force after serving as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. European Command. Earlier he was the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe; Assistant to Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Director of Policy Plans in the Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. Also, General Smith was an assistant to General Maxwell D. Taylor, who was Military Representative to President John F. Kennedy, and later Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He flew combat missions in F-84 Thunderjets during the Korean War. General Smith graduated from West Point and later received a PhD in political economy and government from Harvard University.

General William Y. Smith, USAF (Ret)

At the request of the National Security Agency, IDA established the Supercomputing Research Center (SRC) in Bowie, Maryland, to help NSA exploit new computer technologies. It was later renamed the Center for Computing Sciences (CCS) and is one of three centers that comprise today's IDA Communications and Computing FFRDC.

When established and for another decade thereafter, SRC was considered an "offsite" division of IDA rather than a separate FFRDC. In 1995, the Department of Defense requested that the National Science Foundation - which maintains the master list of government-wide FFRDCs - list IDA's Communications and Computing Center as a separate FFRDC.

The Cost Analysis Group was renamed the Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD), and its mission was broadened to include the resource implications of acquiring and operating national security capabilities of all types. Today CARD is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

At the request of the National Security Agency, IDA established a second Center for Communications Research in La Jolla, California, to complement the existing CCR - Princeton in supporting NSA missions. It was motivated by NSA's desire to attract leading scientists from the West Coast to work on NSA problems. Today, CCR - La Jolla, CCR - Princeton, and the Center for Computing Sciences are the three centers that comprise IDA's Communications and Computing FFRDC, which conducts research in cryptology, information operations, and computing sciences for NSA.

When established and for another six years thereafter, CCR-La Jolla was considered an "offsite" division of IDA rather than a separate FFRDC. In 1995, the Department of Defense requested that the National Science Foundation - which maintains the master list of government-wide FFRDCs - list IDA's Communications and Computing Center as a separate FFRDC.

The Communications Research Division was renamed the Center for Communications Research - Princeton. Today, CCR - Princeton, CCR - La Jolla, and the Center for Computing Sciences are the three centers that make up IDA's Communications and Computing FFRDC, which conducts research in cryptology, information operations, and computing sciences for NSA.

General Larry D. Welch, USAF (Ret), was named IDA President. He held the post from November 1990 to November 2003.

Prior to joining IDA, General Welch was the 12th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1986 to 1990. Earlier he served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Air Command and the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. He previously held many other Air Force operational and staff positions, including the Commander of the Ninth Air Force and the Air Force component commander for the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force. He began his military career by enlisting in the Kansas National Guard and later in the Air Force. He entered the aviation cadet program and received his pilot wings and commission, serving initially as an instructor pilot. He later flew many combat missions in F-4C Phantoms during the Vietnam War. General Welch received a BA in business administration from the University of Maryland and MS in international relations from The George Washington University.

General Larry D. Welch, USAF (Ret)

IDA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) established the Simulation Center to improve simulation support for analyses and training, with particular focus on the use of advanced, human-in-the-loop, distributed simulations. Later, the Simulation Center was merged into the Joint Advanced Warfighting Program, and the merged organization was subsequently renamed the Joint Advanced Warfighting Division (JAWD), which today is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

The Supercomputing Research Center was renamed the Center for Computing Sciences (CCS) to reflect the evolving research focus and capabilities of the center. Today, CCS, CCR - Princeton, and CCR - La Jolla are the three centers that make up IDA's Communications and Computing FFRDC, which conducts research in cryptology, information operations, and computing sciences for NSA.

At request of the Department of Defense, IDA established the Joint Advanced Warfighting Program (JAWP) to stimulate transformation of U.S. military forces by conducting analyses and experimentation regarding new operating concepts and advanced technologies. Twelve active duty personnel - three from each military service - on Joint Duty Assignment billets, were assigned to JAWP, working side-by-side with civilian researchers. Later, the IDA Simulation Center was merged into JAWP and subsequently, the combined organization was renamed the Joint Advanced Warfighting Division (JAWD), which today is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

JAWP assisted in the reviewing options and challenges in the changing nature of warfare after the end of the Cold War. IDA Document: "Future Conflict: a Survey of Recent Literature"

Admiral Dennis C. Blair, USN (Ret), was named IDA President. He held the post from November 2003 to September 2006.

Prior to joining IDA, Admiral Blair was the Commander of the United States Pacific Command, responsible for Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps units throughout the Pacific region and large parts of Asia. Earlier he commanded the USS Cochrane (DDG-21) as well as the Kitty Hawk Battle Group. Also, he was the Director of the Joint Staff, the Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support, and a member of the National Security Council staff. In 2009, Admiral Blair was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate as the Director of National Intelligence, the head of the U.S. Intelligence Community. He graduated from the Naval Academy and received a master's degree from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

Admiral Dennis C. Blair, USN (Ret)

The Computer Software and Engineering Division was renamed the Information Technology and Systems Division (ITSD) to reflect the evolving research focus and capabilities of the division. Today ITSD is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

IDA began operating the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), which conducts analyses of key science and technology issues for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and other government departments and agencies, including the National Science Foundation, which administers STPI's contract. STPI is the only FFRDC established by Congressional action. STPI is IDA's third FFRDC, which is located in Washington, DC, a short walk from OSTP offices.

General Larry D. Welch, USAF (Ret), was named IDA President for a second time. He held the post from September 2006 to April 2009.

At the request of IDA's Board of Trustees, General Welch agreed to serve a second tour as IDA President. Immediately preceding that appointment, he was a Senior Fellow at IDA, a position to which he returned in 2009. Both as IDA's President and as a Senior Fellow, General Welch served on a wide range of advisory groups, including the Defense Science Board, the Defense Policy Board, and USSTRATCOM's Strategy Advisory Board. He led and participated in many independent reviews at the request of the Secretary of Defense and Congress, including multiple reviews of the U.S. nuclear weapons enterprise.

General Larry D. Welch, USAF (Ret)

The Joint Advanced Warfighting Program was renamed the Joint Advanced Warfighting Division (JAWD) in recognition of the expanded and diverse research activities being conducted within it. Today JAWD is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

JAWD researchers traveling in Afghanistan to interview Northern Alliance members.

The Intelligence Analyses Division (IAD) was established to help improve and expand IDA research support to the restructured Intelligence Community headed by the Director of National Intelligence, with DoD components led by the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. IAD is part of IDA's Systems and Analyses Center FFRDC.

Dr. David S.C. Chu is currently IDA's President. He has held the post since April 2009.

Prior to joining IDA, Dr. Chu served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) from 2001 to 2009. Previously, he was the Director and then Assistant Secretary of Defense for Program Analysis and Evaluation in OSD from 1981 to 1993. Earlier he was the Assistant Director of the Congressional Budget Office for National Security and International Affairs, and an economist at the RAND Corporation. From 1993 to 2001, he held executive positions at RAND, including Vice President and Director of the Arroyo Center. He received a BA in economics and mathematics, and a PhD in economics from Yale University.

Dr. David S.C. Chu