They really don’t know how to do weapon system acquisition. I worked that area for a few decades. It is a shit show.
On one project, the prime contractor was supposed to be finished, but they weren’t. So they got a six month extension and tens of millions of dollars more. After 6 months? They weren’t finished. So they got a six month extension and tens of millions of dollars more. After 6 more months? They still weren’t finished. And it wasn’t meeting technical requirements. They got more time and more money just before I retired.
The prime contractor knew the government was an ATM. They used it shamelessly. Actually delivering a product? Well ... that would be stupid.
Second rule of a gubmint contract: see rule #1.
I’ve seen contractors propose unworkable schedules. Everyone knows the schedule is BS. Then, when they blow the schedule, they propose another one that is arguably just as aggressive and its approved. They make a fortune on ECPs that way.
One problem is that the Defense contractors have gotten so big & powerful, they can push the Government PMs around. They are a defacto monopoly.
My own personal experience as an employee of a government contractor. The acquisition corps can’t write an operational requirements document…doesn’t listen to the end user. The contractors, prime and subordinate push their personal toys, regardless of applicability, and underbid with the assumption the the federal ATM will spew whatever overruns demand.
The Tracer/Future Scout was a glaring example.