Biggest DoD Boondoggles (NYT)

[Tristan Orford]

An infographic giving the details on some overbloated Pentagon programs.  While I'm sympathetic to the need to stay ahead of the curve technology-wise, the sheer dollar amounts are pretty staggering.  

The one I have most knowledge of is the MRAP (essentially an oversized infantry transport vehicle without a main gun of any kind).  Interesting set of circumstances around it: as this infographic notes, it essentially came to be because of the rising fatalities in Iraq resulting from IEDs and insufficiently armored Humvees.  The DoD commissioned as many MRAPs as possible to fill the gap.  This had the desired result of reducing fatalities, as the vehicles are much larger with more armor and have features like undercarriages which divert the blast away from passengers.  They are also kitted out with cool gadgets to detect and disarm explosives such as this.  However, there's now a sizable fleet of these disparate vehicles with limited ability to fit other roles within the military.  To make matters worse, the Humvee replacement program, which should better address the needs served by the MRAP on a unified platform, is years behind schedule.  My point here is that some of these programs are probably a near-total writeoff, but others which do serve a good purpose can end up being pretty inefficient too.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/12/opinion/20100313_Pentagonsboondoggles.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=thab1

[Adam A. Altman]

the sheer dollar amounts behind some of these projects is arresting.

but i am actually glad to see that our military is trying to innovate on a grand scale.   without it, the would would not have many technologies that have meaningfully changed life--GPS comes to mind as one very expensive hairbrained idea of the US military.  inevitably, when you swing for the fences, it won't always work as fast or cheaply as you expect--or even at all.

and though none of us have really lived through wartimes (in the wwii or vietnam sense where everyone knew people affected) or the real threat to your personal safety, i know that if shxt ever goes down, i want the US millitary on my side.

thanks for sending.

[James]

My old roommate currently works in a drug trafficking group in the DoD.  Will have to forward this to him and get his thoughts.  I'll try to send what he comes back with.

[Lindsay Hong]

Given that James sent this about three years ago, I’m guessing he didn’t receive a response from his friend.

I’d still be curious to hear your friend’s thoughts, though. I am pretty fascinated by the world of illegal drugs. I have yet to watch “How to Make Money Selling Drugs,” which I **think** is about why the government really does not want the illegal drug market to be shut down.

Lindsay

On Mar 16, 2011, at 9:52 AM, James <jsco...@gmail.com> wrote:

My old roommate currently works in a drug trafficking group in the DoD.  Will have to forward this to him and get his thoughts.  I'll try to send what he comes back with.