Lessons Learned from Rapid Acquisition: Better, Faster, Cheaper

摘要

This paper examines the impacts of wartime acquisition initiatives on the acquisition system. In particular, it focuses on the systems and processes developed and utilized during the past nine years to rapidly acquire and field systems for the operational force, contrasting these processes with those of traditional acquisition. It then provides an in-depth look at one rapid acquisition system, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, and determines the reasons for its success and identifies lessons learned. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for a 'way ahead' for acquisition that incorporates the requirements for rapid acquisition while retaining the long term life cycle considerations typically associated with traditional acquisition processes.