Quote:
Originally Posted by Carruthers
Why is it that defence acquisitions never come in on time or on budget?
|
The answer was proven long ago. The Air Force choose F-15 as their super plane. Meanwhile, General Dynamics decided to let their engineers design a plane, devoid of DoD micromanagement, just to see what they could create. They let the innovators do the design.
Instead of expensive swing wings, innovators used super-critical morphining wings.
What resulted was the F-16 Falcon. This plane, for 1/3rd the cost, is equal to the F-15. Superior in some aspects. When I last heard, its record in military conflicts was 99-0. Because it was designed by people who comes from where the work gets done. And not by other who only understand political and cost control management.
AMD was another example. AMD processors were clearly inferior to anything from Intel. AMD bought an Asia microprocessor design company. Then issued a decree. Nobody in top management could oversee or even vist design labs. As a result, AMDs processors in that period were superior to Intel's Pentium 4s.
Well, eventually the micromanaging bean counter types get their nose into operations. And so, when high-K materials were essential for the next generation processors, AMD could not take the risk. People who do not come from where the work gets done destroy product lines. Simply view every GM and Chrysler product to see same.
Management must come from where the work gets done. And focus on a strategic objective. The A-10 Warthog was a perfect example. It was designed by a West German general to do what the American Air Force (and Patton) proved as essential for winning wars. This plane did not even have cruise control. Therefore it is a best plane in the US Air Force. Every other plane only exists to support the most important US Air Force plane - the A-10. Because the A-10 was designed by people who identified a mission. Who came from where the work gets done. Who stuck to the strategic objective. And who were not subverted by micromanagers from political and business school circles.
Number of planes made defective by those political and business school types include the F-111, B-1, B-2, F-18, and F-22 Raptor. Planes designed without interference from the micromangers include SR-71, U-2, F-5 Phantom, F-14 Tomcat, and of course a plane that Air Force generals hate - A-10 Warthog. This answer has been repeatedly demonstrated in history.