DOT&E has panned the
sonar that the LCS MCM module was trying to use. So, what does the Navy do? Order more of them, of course! From the defense.gov website,
“Raytheon Co., Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is being
awarded a $20,406,692 modification to previously awarded contract
(N00024-14-C-6302) to exercise options for the procurement of four AN/AQS-20A
sonar, mine detecting sets.”
So, the AQS-20A sonar which
doesn’t meet specifications, costs $5.1M each.
Seems like a wise use of taxpayer money.
I cannot believe how screwed up Navy procurement is.
As a proponent of the auto industry, I really think GM, Ford, and Chrysler are missing a beat here.
ReplyDeleteThe way things are going, GM should have kept the Pontiac Aztec around, called it the 'Multi-Mission Troop Transport And Support' vehicle.
Then they could have negotiated a contract with the Navy for it to be the standard base transport vehicle for the next 20 years.
Does it work? Who cares?
On a serious note, I think that this may have had other failures.
DeleteThe defense contractor mindset could have affected the rest of the civilian market division and stifled it.
It's interesting that for the most part, the defense contractors attempts to gain a foothold have been an abject failure.
Boeing is perhaps the most notable example of a dual defense/civilian company, and it is in many ways, losing ground.
A rather scary article:
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/boeing-goes-to-pieces/
That is the worst of the short-term profit culture for you. It's been devastating for manufacturing in terms of outsourcing.
I've always said, the US cannot "win" at anything if the manufacturing sector becomes the Rust Belt. So too do the fortunes of the American middle class. It's a problem here in Canada too.
An apt reminder about the importance of manufacturing. Good comment.
DeleteManufacturing?. If it wasn't for foreign auto maker the US wouldn't have any manufacturing. Take it from someone who had seen almost all manufacturing in the US. We don't make anything anymore just parts for cars or associated service products
ReplyDeleteWe need to bring manufacturing back now as a societal and strategic asset