Books by Seth Blakeman

A volume in Research in Public ManagementSeries Editors: Lawrence R. Jones, Naval Postgraduate SchoolThis book follows the evolution of a model for quick and efficient national defense war fighting assetacquisition during time of war. It documents the case of a critically important war fighting acquisition programfrom initial needs identification and program start in 2006 through production and fielding in the period 2007-2010. The analysis focuses on the entire process of acquisition and contracting from concept developmentthrough getting the weapons system into action in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The Mine ResistantAmbush Protected vehicles program (MRAP) is a rapid acquisition program procured within the context of theUS Department of Defense's Acquisition Management and Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) framework.The analysis in this book answers the following question: What are the key factors that explain the success of the MRAP program, with successdefined as meeting program objectives and warfighter needs? In addition, this book addresses the critical trade-offs made within the MRAP programto develop it rapidly, and some of the potential long-term impacts of these decisions, both positive and negative, for rapid defense asset acquisition intime of war.