Was Anybody Fired for $2 Billion Overrun on USS Ford?---Could be Many on the List

[unhappycamper]

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/11/was-anybody-fired-2-billion-overrun-uss-fordcould-be-many-list

Was Anybody Fired for $2 Billion Overrun on USS Ford?---Could be Many on the List
14 November 2013 | 9:17 AM

Was Anybody Fired for $2 Billion Overrun on USS Ford?--Could be Many on the List. “Tell me has anybody been fired from their job as a result of a $2 billion cost overrun” was the headlines in the Pilot last week. This was a question asked of Admiral Greenert (CNO) by Senator John McCain during Senate Armed Forces Committee hearings. (Cost of Ford is at $ 12.8 Billion, 22% more than estimated 5 years ago). He also asked General Welch, Chief of the Air Force, about cost overruns and delays of the F-35 aircraft program. (Estimated $1.5 Billion over and ?years delay).

Both of the programs are extremely expensive and are introducing new technology into already complex programs. There should be No surprise, both programs integrate-- technology, design, construction/system integration--all challenges that impact the programs and drive up the cost. Who should be fired, a lot of blame to go around including congress, they all should have realized the ‘Risk’ associated with complex programs, need to ask the hard questions before a program starts,---realize New Technology Cost Big $$.

The majority of the hearing was spent discussing the repeated concerns of the service chiefs. and the consequences of sequester on the Military. “A smaller Force, thats receives less training, resulting in greater risk to troops in the event of large-scale combat deployments”. Same story, sequester will cause --a reduction in the force level (People, ships, aircraft-could be a CVN and airwing-reduced maintenance requirements, reduced training/readiness), CNO stated “We are Tapped Out” a concern of all the Chiefs.

Congress has heard all the DOD concerns, the decision day for congress is not far away, 15 January. We will soon know what the ‘New Military’ will be and what part of the National Strategy they will be able to support. There will definitely be a local impact if the local force is reduced (less-- people, ships, aircraft) the local economy will be affected. Don’t be surprised if BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) happens, the current military’s infrastructure is to large to support the smaller force (Congress is always against BRAC, but---You can’t have your cake and eat it too)



unhappycamper comment: This camper is betting the final cost of the USS Gerald R Ford is going to be around $40 billion dollars, sans people and aircraft.

[Scuba]

1. All that dough and I don't feel one bit safer.