This will "mean a loss of 350 jobs in a supplier base spread across 38 U.S. states". In a nutshell that is half the problem with the procurement system. How much more does every program cost because they have to spread it out all over the country to bribe as many Congress members as possible? How could such inefficiency cost less than consolidating construction to a relatively small area so suppliers are readily at hand?
Not only spreading the monies out to keep programs that are vital. Why would we sell this aircraft to the Muslim Ememy--the United Arab Emirates to kill us with?
Originally posted by 7216062: Not only spreading the monies out to keep programs that are vital. Why would we sell this aircraft to the Muslim Ememy--the United Arab Emirates to kill us with?
UAE never was and never will be our “enemy”! Unlike majority of Arab world, they couldn’t care less about Jihad, war …etc. They are the Switzerland of Middle east.
The real question is what programs are "Vital". 1. Military needs 2. Consistency with current and future needs 3. Cost benefit 4. Is another "similar" program higher or lower on the list. 5. Politics
Are there more important military related programs that have a more lasting impact? Medical, VA, etc.)
Originally posted by 7216062: Not only spreading the monies out to keep programs that are vital. Why would we sell this aircraft to the Muslim Ememy--the United Arab Emirates to kill us with?
We are just selling them the finished product from the materials and components they supplied to us anyway...except put together. I agree though. We should only seel our true and closest alies anything like this. That counts all the Arabs out.
Well, Northrop could always give up their side of the bed with EADS/Airbus that they are associated with in the assembly of the new tanker. Seems they want the entire enchilada. Could this be greed? Northrop’s slice of the defense spending bill is very large and times or money today is tight. Perhaps it is time to prioritize their programs and see what falls out. What is best for the customer first, then the tax payer next then Northrop. Hell of an idea don’t ya think?
When the U.S. government becomes penurious, the contractor affected should just say, "O.K., we exercise our right under the contract, to discontinue production and shut down the line!"... THEN, let's see those idiots in Washington D.C. try and find even the parts to repair the d@mn aircraft... There comes a point, when it becomes a fiscal drain on a company to continue to supply aircraft and support them... People want to know why companies go off shore, well this is why!... What happens when there are no more "AMERICAN" companies to produce the aircraft and systems that must be kept, for lack of a better term, classified?... Respectfully, SUNLINER81
Defense officials, meanwhile, have long warned that lawmakers' insistence on pursuing an unrequested second JSF engine program could come at the cost of aircraft acquisition. The F-35C production cutback option was eyed last year when Congress, again, restored the F136 alternate engine program over Pentagon and White House objections.
While not the thrust of the article, this is yet another example of why cutting the DoD budget is so difficult. Every Congresscritter in the U.S. thinks that any project that brings $$$s to his/her district is "essential" ... even when DoD says it isn't.
