F-35 program slammed by auditor general

[JohnyCanuck]

Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Defence Department criticized for not running fair competition to replace aging CF-18 fleet

The Department of National Defence did not run a fair competition to choose the F-35 fighter jet, is likely underestimating the total procurement cost, and made key decisions without required approvals or proper documentation, the auditor general concludes in his spring report released today.

Michael Ferguson's first report as auditor general is heavy-hitting, and highlights a long list of problems with how the decisions were made to buy 65 F-35 planes to replace the aging CF-18s. But it also raises questions about how much the planes will cost and what DND officials were telling Canadians, and their members of Parliament, about that pricetag.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced in July 2010 that Canada would be buying the F-35 Lightning II through its participation in the U.S.-led Joint Strike Fighter Program, but Ferguson said it was the fighter jet of choice as far back as 2006.

"When National Defence decided to recommend the acquisition of the F-35, it was too involved with the aircraft and the JSF Program to run a fair competition. It applied the rules for standard procurement projects but prepared key documents and took key steps out of proper sequence," the report says.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/04/02/f35-auditor-general-report.html?cmp=rss

[sakabatou]

1. Why am I not surprised?

[Egalitarian Thug]

2. Unnecessary, impractical, astronomically over-priced and not durable

enough to actually use even if the need were to arise. It's just another gigantic corporate welfare program sucking up talent and cash that would be far better used elsewhere.

Oh, and read Richard Clarke's article in Smithsonian, There is a very real chance that once on line, it can be rendered the world's most expensive anchor with virtually a flip of a switch that we don't control.

[Kolesar]

3. Third question: ‘Is it running Siemens 7?'

I wonder where they got the technical information of how the centrifuges, motors, and control systems were integrated. Did they hack into Siemens code?

[Sherman A1]

4. However,

other than those few pesky points that you so eloquently raised, it is just wonderful.

[Tikki]

5. This is history reliving itself...just like the F-22 program.

Over runs with costs and unfair competition...new DND Auditor General..same old contract stories.



Tikki