Acquisition Systems Protection Planning the Manhattan Project: A Case Study

摘要

This study examines the counterintelligence and security programs of theManhattan Project, the United States acquisition of the atomic bomb, using the Department of Defense's Acquisition Systems Protection Program (ASPP) methodology. Using the ASPP methodology as presented in the April 1993 draft of DOD Manual 5200.1, Acquisition Systems Program Protection, the study examines the Manhattan Project's: essential program information, technologies and systems (EPITS), foreign intelligence collection threat assessment, and countermeasures programs. The study, using today's criteria, concludes that the project's countermeasures program was marginally successfully because the project lacked a unifying security objective. Additionally, the project leadership failed to clearly idnetify and counteract the collection threat posed by wartime ally, the Soviet Union. The study determined that there are lessons learned from the historical case that are applicable to the contemporary ASPP. Lessons learned include; proposed doctrinal changes, threat assessment methodology and counterintelligence techniques and procedures. Acquisition systems, Program protection, Manhattan Project, Atomic bomb, Technology protection, Counterintelligence, Security.