Dr. William A. LaPlante
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
William A. LaPlante received an undergraduate degree in engineering physics from the University of Illinois. He earned a master’s degree in applied physics from Johns Hopkins University and received a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Catholic University of America.
He spent 26 years heading the Global Engineering Department at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
He has served on a number of boards dealing with scientific aspects of national security. Among them are the U.S. Strategic Command Senior Advisory Group, the Naval Research Advisory Commission, and Defense Science Board. He spent 3 years as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, a Senate-confirmed position. He served in the private sector as vice president and general manager for a national security company and was part of federally-funded research and development centers for the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Science and Technology.
In April 2022, the Senate confirmed Dr. LaPlante as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
In the News…
Lockheed Martin has been awarded multiple contracts valued in excess of $500 million by the U.S. Army. The contracts will build up the stockpiles of the Defense Department that have been reduced by the provision of aid to Ukraine.
Dr. William LaPlante, the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment, stated, “These awards demonstrate the significant impact GMLPRS are having on the battlefield as a vital combat capability for our international partners. They are great examples of contracting approaches we are using to more rapidly accelerate timelines and ultimately deliver capability.”
Over $18 billion in military aid has been provided to Ukraine by President Biden’s administration since the Russian invasion in February.
