Air force's alternative financing approach brings new criticism as Department of Defense urges halt to upgrades
The US Department of Defense's inspector general (IG) has targeted the Lockheed Martin C-130J programme as it expands its criticism of the US Air Force's use of commercial acquisition procedures.
An IG report posted on 23 July urges the air force to stop paying for upgrades to the C-130J until Lockheed Martin can deliver aircraft that comply with the original specifications. The air force and Lockheed Martin are disputing all of the IG report's findings.
The air force has accepted delivery of 35 of the first 50 C-130Js ordered since February 1999, but the aircraft cannot perform two key missions - airdropping paratroops and equipment - until a block 5.4 software upgrade is installed next year. The C-130J also has been ordered for the US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard, plus Australia, Denmark, Italy and the UK.
Echoing its recent criticism of the air force's plan to lease Boeing 767 tankers, the IG report condemns the air force's alternative financing approach.
"Essentially, what began as a contract to obtain a commercial aircraft that would meet the government's needs with minor modification evolved into efforts by the air force to manage the C-130J as a spiral development at additional expense to the government," according to the IG report.
In its rebuttal, the service draws a link between the IG's criticisms of the Boeing KC-767 tanker and C-130J programmes, saying these "suggest that DoD IG is opposed to applying the Congressional preference for the acquisition of commercial items to major system procurements".
The IG's C-130J report "ignores that Lockheed Martin developed the C-130J at its own risk for the commercial and military marketplaces", it says.
The service's rebuttal of the criticism also contends that the programme is achieving cost and schedule targets.
"Lockheed Martin is already delivering contract-compliant aircraft," the air force says.
STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
