Fundamental misunderstanding
McClatchy | Stars & Stripes
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“I have no real illusion we’re going to effect any drastic changes to the F-35,” said Dan Grazier, a military fellow at the Project On Government Oversight and one of the program’s leading critics in Washington. “It’s next to impossible to generate enough political opposition to the program.”
[...] “Components (of the F-35) are built in 46 states, and about 350 congressional districts,” said Grazier. “That’s an awful lot of organic congressional support for the program on Capitol Hill.” [...] “(Trump’s) tune changed rather quickly,” said Grazier. “He’s talking to the generals; he’s talking to the CEO of Lockheed Martin.” Grazier, who has worked on F-35 issues for three years, says critics of the program have largely given up on matching that effort. Instead, they’re focused on the Department of Defense’s independent review of the plane’s design, which could begin this fall. That operational test is required before full scale production begins. Friedman said the F-35 is “nearing completion of its developmental flight testing phase, which represents the most sophisticated, rigorous and comprehensive flight test program in history.” Grazier said the testing could take years to complete, and will reveal all of the program’s “warts and wrinkles.” “One of the best things we can do now, the few of us in my position, and just raise awareness of this,” said Grazier. “In 10-15 years when we’re talking about the F-45, hopefully we’re not making the same mistakes.” |
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