The study of the rapid acquisition Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program and its impact on the warfighter

The purpose of this study is to document and analyze the benefit and shortcomings experienced by the various stakeholders, particularly the warfighters. It is also to determine if the accelerated acquisition strategy used for the Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program provided sufficient benefits to the warfighter to become the model program for future U.S. military major acquisition programs? The urgent need for a vehicle capable of protecting the warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire, prompted the approval of an accelerated acquisition program for the development and purchase of the MRAP vehicle. The time from the initial needs statement in February 2006 to the first fielding of the first MRAPs was less than 18 months. This accelerated acquisition process provided tremendous benefits; however, it was not without its shortcomings. Were the shortcomings outweighed by the benefits in this particular program, and most importantly, will this accelerated acquisition procedure used serve as a model for future major military acquisition programs? Answering these questions is the major focus of this study.

Department dc:contributor.department

Program Management

Grantor dc:publisher

Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Authors dc:creator

• Bulkley, Michael E.
• Davis, Gregory C.

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Boudreau, Michael W.
• Stokes, John E., Jr.

Statement dc:rights

• This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10945/34636

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/34636