Yep....this summarizes very well the absolute failure of the US Government to make sure large acquisition programs run like they are supposed to and that they meet the specifications before cutting the check. BUT...as long as the boards of these large gov't contractors are hanging out playing golf with our elected officials, it will not change.
My last assignment in the AF was doing test flights on the C-5 airplane after they were modified by Lockheed. Before the first bolt was removed from the airplane, Lockheed already had a performance check in their hands. During my tenure, the government "accepted" 21 airplanes and 19 of them DID NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. Several of them were no longer AIRWORTHY and even though we were allowed to fly just about ANYTHING (airworthy or not), there were 2 airplanes we couldn't even fly...but Lockheed STILL got paid. We filed an IG complaint against both Lockheed AND our management (Defense Contract Management Agency) and our allegations were substantiated...but was anything done? Nope. In the 2 years I worked in the program, the stock of Lockheed Martin DOUBLED. Still makes me sick to the stomach.
