of Defense Directive 5000.01 without the specific direction of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment or a Senior Acquisition Executive. (4) Pathways The guidance shall provide for the following two rapid acquisition pathways: (A) Applications The applications software acquisition pathway shall provide for the use of rapid development and implementation of applications and other software and software improvements running on commercial commodity hardware (including modified hardware) operated by the Department of Defense. (B) Embedded systems The embedded systems software acquisition pathway shall provide for the rapid development and insertion of upgrades and improvements for software embedded in weapon systems and other military-unique hardware systems. (c) Expedited process (1) In general The guidance required by subsection (a) shall provide for a streamlined and coordinated requirements, budget, and acquisition process that results in the rapid fielding of software applications and software upgrades to embedded systems in a period of not more than one year from the time that the process is initiated. It shall also require the collection of data on the version fielded and continuous engagement with the users of that software, so as to enable engineering and delivery of additional versions in periods of not more than one year each. (2) Expedited software requirements process (A) Inapplicability of existing guidance Software acquisitions conducted under the authority of this provision shall not be subject to the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) Manual and Department of Defense Directive 5000.01, except to the extent specifically provided in the guidance required under subsection (a) or by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment or a Senior Acquisition Executive. (B) Requirements The guidance required by subsection (a) shall provide the following with respect to requirements: (i) Requirements for covered acquisitions are developed on an