new C-27J Spartans go to "Boneyard"

[dragon53]

Link: http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... ESRC=eb.nl

[snake]

That is pretty ridiculous.

"Pork barrel" politics at work.

[Dauntless]

Looks like a very capable aircraft.
The Forest Service might be getting them?
http://wildfiretoday.com/2012/07/26/sen ... t-to-usfs/

[ketelone]

It's pork. Really no different than the ongoing manufacture of tanks (Abrams) even when the generals have indicated we don't need any more.

[Grognard]

I saw the Spartan in Afghanistan last year. The Army pushed the program. Kind of a FOB Hopper to go places where the C-130 wouldn't fit. USAF would like to get out of the Tactical mission, and the Army can't afford to take over the program.

I don't think it's as much pork as it is a matter of contract. We have been pushing for "Firm Fixed Price" contracts the last few years. Big contractors expect to get paid. If we terminate the program, the contractor usually litigates for termination fees. Sometimes these are as much if not more than the cost to complete the contract. Maybe sending them to the bone yard was actually cheaper.

Remember the failed A-12 program. 20 years of litigation and $10 billion dollars in claims. Even the Supreme Court couldn't unravel the mess.