Pentagon skips tests on key component of U.S.-based missile defense system

Los Angeles Times ^ | 3/17/16 | David Willman

[Nachum]

Against the advice of its own panel of outside experts, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency is forgoing tests meant to ensure that a critical component of the nation’s homeland missile defense system will work as intended. The tests that are being skipped would evaluate the reliability of small motors designed to help keep rocket interceptors on course as they fly toward incoming warheads. (Snip) But in order to stay on schedule for a planned expansion of the GMD system, none of the 40 thrusters that are being installed on 10 new interceptors will undergo hot-fire testing, government officials told the Los

[Nachum]

The list, Ping

Let me know if you would like to be on or off the ping list

http://www.nachumlist.com/

[Mr Apple]

...the U.S. Missile Defense Agency is forgoing tests meant to ensure that a critical component of the nation’s homeland missile defense system will work as intended.

I wonder if our Mullah Obama had anything to do with this.

[Smokin' Joe]

From the article: But in order to stay on schedule for a planned expansion of the GMD system, none of the 40 thrusters that are being installed on 10 new interceptors will undergo hot-fire testing, government officials told the Los Angeles Times.

Stay on schedule...Like the Challenger?

No quality control, and haste makes waste.

If these don't work, the implications could be far, far greater than losing an orbiter and crew.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

No hot tests of the thrusters? WTH?? Schedule is more important than verifying they work? Somehow getting a Dem elected has to figure into this idiotic decision.

[Nachum]

I wonder if our Mullah Obama had anything to do with this.

Bingo.

[rockinqsranch]

This reeks of incompetent leadership.

[1st Division guy]

orders is orders

[Mr Apple]

It reeks of ...the mullah.

[Mr Apple]

Very bad times now. :(

[DesertRhino]

Or like the WWII Mark 14 torpedo. There were never any live fore tests of a production model. When war hit, they sucked for nearly 2 years.

[Smokin' Joe]

I have little doubt that not only was opportunity lost to sink enemy ships, but that as a result of failed attacks we lost boats and crews as well.

Now, the stakes are even higher. Our economy (an EMP attack), or whole cities may be forfeit as the price of failure of the systems to perform.

And, unlike the guarantee on the parachute, you won't get double your money back if it doesn't work.

[ThunderSleeps]

Well, that might be a viable option if. ... These thruster motors are unchanged from the previous design and in all the testing of these thrusters they have worked as designed. Then I might, might consider skipping the tests, but probably wouldn’t.

[grey_whiskers]

This must be by Obama's explicit orders, or one of his homosexual generals.

Nobody else hates our country that much.

The only remaining question is...Iran or North Korea?

...or China?

[grey_whiskers]

Well, if the incoming nuke takes out L.A. or Chicago or Philly, ...

maybe there will be accountability against whichever Dem ordered this.

[doorgunner69]

Pentagon skipped it, or they were ordered to skip it?

Rather crucial bit of information missing in this L.A.Times article.

That it is in the LAT raises my hackles, as it would be hard to find a more anti-military paper to publish things in.

[Svartalfiar]

[DesertRhino]

“I have little doubt that not only was opportunity lost to sink enemy ships, but that as a result of failed attacks we lost boats and crews as well. “

Fully agree.

[sheik yerbouty]

Sabotage within IMHO..

[SueRae]

Whatever happened to “Test like you fly?” What has happened to the MDA? Some had a saying in business...”cost, schedule, quality, pick two.” I never thought I’d see that in this arena.