Comments on: The Coming End of the Defense Spending Party, Or The Next “Last Supper”? http://www.dodbuzz.com/2008/07/07/the-coming-end-of-the-defense-spending-party-or-the-next-last-supper/ Online Defense and Acquisition Journal Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:05:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: tomhttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2008/07/07/the-coming-end-of-the-defense-spending-party-or-the-next-last-supper/comment-page-1/#comment-193 tom Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:43:16 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=181#comment-193 I served in the military circa 1968, I support our military;however I believe defense spending has gotten out of control. We need an effective battle rifle not a target rifle for target shooters. We need more access to firearms ranges on all military bases NOT more golf courses.We need less expensive platforms for all services. We don't need super expensive hard to maintain and expensive to maintain planes,ships,or any other hardware system.We need redundant systems on our planes, electrical optical camera,infrared and radar all tied to the targeting system.Carriers in for overhaul stay 3 years...how is a handful of super carriers super expensive NOT a target for a large number of oil rich socialist countries who can arm themselves with numbers of supersonic cruise missiles,600 knot torpedoes ,emp weapons,lasers aircraft and ship and submarine platforms. We put a helicopter turbine engine in a tank...The German Army has developed a lightweight diesel engine with virtually the same speed ability but with the added positive of a less combustible fuel especially for vulnerable fuel bowsers, longer range, and lower fuel consumption. Why aren't we seeking the same advantage???The enemy could lose a whole lot, yet if even one of our carriers was sunk or seriously damaged it would cause us grievous harm.As weak as our domestic oil supply and refining capacity is what would we do if oil tankers were blocked or sunk or credibly threatened and prevented from sailingRussia under communist dictators had a bankrupt economy and could not keep up with President Reagans pershing missile and star wars and other weapons systems, and collapsed because they tried and could NOT produce and stay competitive.Now we seem to be doing the same to ourselves, most immediate threats appear to be asymmetrical,guerilla, hit and run terror operations.Yet we build 122 million dollar fighters, 6 billion dollar carriers and the next generation carrier is slated to cost 15 billion, 2 billion dollars submarines,billion dollar bombers.Yet we give our troops a rifle that jams and an ineffective 9mm pistol round. We provide sleeping bags that are NOT warm and smart troops that can afford it buy Wiggy's products.We should regroup, get back to basics,sound training,sound affordable equipment,and use as much off the shelf gear as possible. I served in the military circa 1968, I support our military;however I believe defense spending has gotten out of control. We need an effective battle rifle not a target rifle for target shooters. We need more access to firearms ranges on all military bases NOT more golf courses.

We need less expensive platforms for all services. We don’t need super expensive hard to maintain and expensive to maintain planes,ships,or any other hardware system.

We need redundant systems on our planes, electrical optical camera,infrared and radar all tied to the targeting system.

Carriers in for overhaul stay 3 years…how is a handful of super carriers super expensive NOT a target for a large number of oil rich socialist countries who can arm themselves with numbers of supersonic cruise missiles,600 knot torpedoes ‚emp weapons,lasers aircraft and ship and submarine platforms. We put a helicopter turbine engine in a tank…The German Army has developed a lightweight diesel engine with virtually the same speed ability but with the added positive of a less combustible fuel especially for vulnerable fuel bowsers, longer range, and lower fuel consumption. Why aren’t we seeking the same advantage???

The enemy could lose a whole lot, yet if even one of our carriers was sunk or seriously damaged it would cause us grievous harm.

As weak as our domestic oil supply and refining capacity is what would we do if oil tankers were blocked or sunk or credibly threatened and prevented from sailing

Russia under communist dictators had a bankrupt economy and could not keep up with President Reagans pershing missile and star wars and other weapons systems, and collapsed because they tried and could NOT produce and stay competitive.

Now we seem to be doing the same to ourselves, most immediate threats appear to be asymmetrical,guerilla, hit and run terror operations.

Yet we build 122 million dollar fighters, 6 billion dollar carriers and the next generation carrier is slated to cost 15 billion, 2 billion dollars submarines,billion dollar bombers.

Yet we give our troops a rifle that jams and an ineffective 9mm pistol round. We provide sleeping bags that are NOT warm and smart troops that can afford it buy Wiggy’s products.

We should regroup, get back to basics,sound training,sound affordable equipment,and use as much off the shelf gear as possible.

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