On Tue, 06 Jan 2004 19:21:38 GMT, Scott Ferrin
wrote:


Cost overruns by Northrop on B-2 as well as some scandal on parts
ordering on missile guidance systems for the Electronics Division
certainly muddied the political waters and may have cost Northrop some
points.

Would that be on the Peasekeeper's guidance system? ISTR hearing
about that back then.

Yep. The supply system was incredibly convoluted. For example, I had
one of two Mac II computers in the training section. I wanted some
off-the-shelf software (arcane stuff like MS Word). It took a purchase
order that required NINE signatures and more than six weeks.

Over in Electronics Div. they were up against production deadlines.
Some creative problem solver garnered petty cash and went open market
to buy the necessary materials. Production deliveries on time. When
the supply system deliveries came six weeks later, the excess material
got back-doored to the dumpster. Result was an investigation for
misuse of government....blah...blah...blah.

Had to swear to always use the most inefficient methods under penalty
of law for all future deliveries.



Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8