They need to look at how they procure equipment. I was the integrated product team lead on the miniaturization portion of the Future Combat Systems program. I worked for a subcontractor. If they really wanted the devices to be smaller the task should have been assigned at one of the lead integrators. But nobody wanted it as the task was impossible. Every contractor’s contract said their box would be x inches by y by z. These sizes were developed based on estimates from the various contractors (who gave themselves lots of room) long before the vehicles were designed. So, of course nothing fit. The contractors were not about to give up any real-estate and their contracts meant that they didn’t have to. The only reason they attended my meetings was to burn charge numbers.
I could go on for another 10 pages but nobody on FR is interested in that kind of detail. Rest assured, though, that every aspect of the procurement process makes it harder to develop anything, let alone state of the art or cutting edge equipment. There is no easy way to fix this as the procurement office resembles a huge, amorphous monster that can’t be changed, improved or killed.
Oh, one favorite anecdote. I think it was a general who insisted on a program that would solicit ideas from employees. My boss and a representative from Boeing therefore made a presentation in the lunchroom to the floor workers, none of whom even worked for the division which had the FCS contract. They set up a mechanism for submitting ideas that required an ACE (Advanced Collaborative Environment) account. Those accounts were controlled like addictive drugs. None of the floor people, who worked for another division, had accounts. I did have an account and could not figure out how to submit the idea. My idea would have saved hundreds of pounds but finally I said, “F8ck it. If they wanted it they wouldn’t have made it impossible to put it into ACE.” What my boss did was passive aggressive to say the least. Yeah, you want your suggestion program? I’ve got your suggestion program right here!
I find your experiences very interesting and learn from them sometimes.
Some of it could go for Pentagon Wars II and III.
Great post, love detail. Of course - keep in mind that everybody can see what you post. If you ruffle serious feathers... well... gotta be careful there. All other feathers can be ruffled though I suppose.
Gov’t contracting is quite a nwo beast.