Thanks for the link Mike!
via WNU from Reuters.
This program is a disgrace and before its over someone will go to jail.
UPDATE: This program is losing friends. Reason is a libertarian magazine that I read from time to time. Did you know that more and more Americans are identifying as libertarian conservative rather than Republican or even Democrat? Regardless, check out this story from the editor.
NOTE: This story smacks of a Friday afternoon message dump orchestrated by the Pentagon. This is huge news, and would ordinarily be a lead story (if the media actually covered the F-35 story outside of the small defense outlets). Prediction. This is the first of many "bad news stories" about this plane that we're going to see over the next several weeks. Someone has a hardon for the F-35 (besides me) and I hope they get satisfaction.
via WNU from Reuters.
(Reuters) - The Pentagon repeatedly waived laws banning Chinese-built components on U.S. weapons in order to keep the $392 billion Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter program on track in 2012 and 2013, even as U.S. officials were voicing concern about China's espionage and military buildup.Just plain awesome.
According to Pentagon documents reviewed by Reuters, chief U.S. arms buyer Frank Kendall allowed two F-35 suppliers, Northrop Grumman Corp and Honeywell International Inc, to use Chinese magnets for the new warplane's radar system, landing gears and other hardware. Without the waivers, both companies could have faced sanctions for violating federal law and the F-35 program could have faced further delays.
"It was a pretty big deal and an unusual situation because there's a prohibition on doing defense work in China, even if it's inadvertent," said Frank Kenlon, who recently retired as a senior Pentagon procurement official and now teaches at American University. "I'd never seen this happen before."
This program is a disgrace and before its over someone will go to jail.
UPDATE: This program is losing friends. Reason is a libertarian magazine that I read from time to time. Did you know that more and more Americans are identifying as libertarian conservative rather than Republican or even Democrat? Regardless, check out this story from the editor.
NOTE: This story smacks of a Friday afternoon message dump orchestrated by the Pentagon. This is huge news, and would ordinarily be a lead story (if the media actually covered the F-35 story outside of the small defense outlets). Prediction. This is the first of many "bad news stories" about this plane that we're going to see over the next several weeks. Someone has a hardon for the F-35 (besides me) and I hope they get satisfaction.
