Chief Capability Development Group

Chief Capability Development Group (CCDG) of Department of Defence, Australian Defence Organisation
Incumbent AVM Mel Hupfeld since 20 August 2015 (2015-08-20) (acting)
Style	Rear Admiral / Major General / Air Vice Marshal
Term length	(nominally) Three years (renewable)
Inaugural holder	LTGEN David Hurley
Website	defence.gov.au/Leaders/

The Chief of Capability Development Group (CCDG) is head of the Capability Development Group (CDG) in the Australian Department of Defence, part of the Australian Defence Organisation. This position was created in December 2003 and is currently occupied in an acting capacity since August 2015 by AVM Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , a two-star officer of the Australian Defence Force. Prior to 2015, the position was occupied by a three-star officer.

The appointed officer is ultimately responsible to the diarchy of the Chief of the Defence Force and the Secretary of Defence.

Capability Development Group

The role of the Capability Development Group (CDG) is to develop and gain Australian Government approval for future defence capabilities. The CDG has a close relationship with the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (formerly the Defence Materiel Organisation) and oversees the implementation of Defence Procurement Review recommendations.

As sponsor, CDG is responsible for developing capability proposals consistent with strategic priorities, funding guidance, legislation and policy, for consideration and approval by Government. In particular, the work of the Group focuses on:

• Defence's Major Capability Expenditure (MCE) investment program; and
• Capability Definition, comprising the Needs Phase and the Requirements Phase of the Capability Development process.

CCDG, along with the Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF), the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and the Chief Defence Scientist (CDS), (all are 3 star level positions), comprise the Owner Support Executives. They report to the "diarchy": the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) and the Secretary, Department of Defence.

Department heads

• Head Capability System: Vacant
• First assistant secretary capability investment & resources: Michael Gibson
• Assistant secretary capability & plans: Ben Coleman
• Executive director group support: Warren Nelson
• Director-General Australian defence test & evaluation office: CAPT John Renwick, RAN

Chief Capability Development Group

LTGEN David Hurley

The following officers have been appointed as Chief of the Capability Development Group:

Rank	Name	Post- nominals	Service	Term began	Term ended	Time in Appointment	Notes
Lieutenant General	David Hurley	AO, DSC	Army	December 2003	September 2007
Vice Admiral	Matt Tripovich	AO, CSC, RAN	RAN	September 2007	October 2010
Air Marshal	John Harvey	AM	RAAF	October 2010	November 2011
Vice Admiral	Peter Jones	AO, DSC, RAN	RAN	November 2011	31 October 2014
Lieutenant General	John Caligari	AO, DSC	Army	31 October 2014	20 August 2015
Air Vice Marshal	Mel Hupfeld	AO, DSC	RAAF	20 August 2015	incumbent	0 years, days

Timeline