Richard Palmer / The Trumpet – 2016-06-17 01:09:42
https://www.thetrumpet.com/article/13888.24.185.0/world/military/6-billion-for-faulty-submarines
$6 Billion for Faulty Submarines
Richard Palmer / The Trumpet
(July 2016 Issue) — It emerged on March 29 that the USS Minnesota nuclear attack submarine is stuck in port as workers try to make it seaworthy. The $2.7 billion vessel is only three years old.
When the Minnesota was delivered in 2013, it was hailed as a great success for military procurement since it was delivered almost one year ahead of schedule. But it was delivered with known manufacturing defects.
According to the Navy Times, some of the Minnesota’s vital engine components were not manufactured and installed to specification. Evidence has emerged that manufacturers used fraudulent welding and other counterfeit additions to pass inspection. A $10,000 pipe failed examination, and it was discovered that the pipe had been fraudulently fabricated to appear sound.
Discovery of this defective pipe prompted investigation into other parts delivered by the US-based contractor. Two subsequently constructed multibillion-dollar subs were also discovered to have the same defective pipes installed.
After investing more than $6 billion, the US Navy has three new nuclear submarines that pose a known risk to their crews if deployed.
US submarines form a third of the military’s nuclear triad and are essential for deterrence and war-fighting capability. The revelation of these fraudulent practices has frustrated and demoralized many service personnel. Had they gone undiscovered, sailors’ lives and national security would have been at grave risk.
US Marine Corps Not Combat Ready
Richard Pa;mer / The Trumpet
(July 2016) – The United States Marine Corps aviation wing is suffering from the burden of 15 years’ worth of fighting and budget cuts. Fox News reported on April 17 that the vast majority of US strike fighter aircraft are not airworthy.
Yet it is unclear where the money to maintain and replace them will come from. Budget cuts and sequestration have reduced anticipated budgets — from $691 billion in 2010 to $560 billion in 2015, an inflation-adjusted 21 percent decrease in five years.
Several aging major equipment platforms need replacing. The MV-22B Osprey was to be the solution for the rotary-wing aircraft used by the corps. Yet several accidents have degraded confidence in this “upgrade.”
The F-18 Hornets were to be replaced with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — but known flaws, significant budget overruns, and postponements in deployment testing have delayed F-35 adoption.
Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets are supposed to have a shelf life of 6,000 hours, but they are being refurbished to extend that life to 8,000 hours, possibly even 10,000 hours. Pilots are being asked to remain operationally ready with aircraft that are well beyond their engineered limits.
Not only has time spent refining their skills in the air been reduced, but pilots are now limited by aging aircraft that could pose safety risks even outside of combat roles. â–ª
Lost and Found
Have you seen a pile of $230 million worth of spare vehicle parts? Lost somewhere in Afghanistan. If found, please contact the International Security Assistance Force office in Norfolk, Virginia. We are in the process of delivering another $130 milliion of the same parts and would like to save a few dollars if possible.
Posted by: NATO.
$230,000,000
Contractor Needed
Need a renovation/demolition contractor to fix or replace buildings that were built in recent years. We spent $1.5 billion on buildings that include insulation that turns out to be a fire hazard. Contact us with your details, offering a generous government contract.
Posted by: US Army Corps of Engineers
$1,500,000,000
Lawyer Needed
The Army knowingly purchased nonfunctional incinerators for $11.5 million. So soldiers just burned refuse in open-air pits. Now soldiers are suing the Army, saying fumes from the pits damaged their lungs. Lawyer needed to defend the Army.
Posted by: United States Army
$11,500,000
Free Prison
In northern Baghdad? Contact us for a free prison. This $40 million modern detention facility includes cellblocks, offices, educational and vocational training spaces, watchtowers and walls. It needs some finishing touches and retrofitting for concrete that cracks easily, but is almost completely brand-new and unused.
Posted by: US Army Corps of Engineers
$40,000,000
Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.
