General gives stinging rebuke to contractors

[unhappycamper]

General gives stinging rebuke to contractors
By John T. Bennett - 02/09/11 08:07 PM ET

The top brass at the Pentagon is signaling in no uncertain terms that the defense industry needs to clean up its act and accept that the government can no longer throw away money on ill-conceived military projects.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on Wednesday had some tough talk for defense contractors, saying firms must stop “blowing smoke” and over-promising about what they can deliver.

“Don’t blow smoke up my ass” about what a military platform can do and when it will be ready, Schwartz told a tense and silent ballroom filled with defense industry executives. “There’s no time for it. There’s no patience for it. OK?”

The comments were the latest example of Pentagon officials speaking bluntly about the future of the U.S. defense sector, which they say must change rapidly to accommodate the nation’s new fiscal reality.

“If industry makes a commitment, you will have to deliver,” Schwartz said. “There will be less tolerance … for not delivering.”

[xchrom]

1. shrug -- we'll see. nt

[bemildred]

2. Not a chance.

When Congress gets involved, then you might see some action. However, I have doubts that the defense bidness is even able to clean up its act. You would need a fresh start with new faces.

[xchrom]

3. That's pretty much what I think.

I couldn't swear that the pentagon doesn't love
Cost over runs.

[Sal Minella]

4. We'd need new defense contractor personnel who have never

heard about the million$ spent on the "explosive detectors" units that had no working parts inside whatsoever.

It's all Caveat Emptor, and the contractors will try to sell us anything we're stupid enough to fall for. Invisible paint? Sure, coming right up. Sign here. How many million gallons you want? Sign here. Yes, it's a cost-plus deal, but only you and I need to know that.