Le JSF et l’humeur du général Schwartz

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Le JSF et l’humeur du général Schwartz

Il y a beaucoup de spéculations autour du statut du JSF par rapport à la loi Nunn-McCurdy. (Dedefensa a parlé de cette loi, notamment le 24 janvier 2009: http://www.dedefensa.org/article-le_jsf_attaque_par_la_verite_officielle_des_prix_circa-obama_et_gao_24_01_2009.html). Il y a, sur le blog de Aviation Week, le 22 février, un intéressant développement de Amy Butler, à propos du brusque changement d’opinion du général Schwartz, chef d’état-major de l’USAF, sur le sujet. (Voir lien.)

Butler observe à propos de ce changement d’opinion de Schwartz, ce qu’elle juge être un sacré déficit d’information sur le JSF de la part des chefs du Pentagone:

«In a stunning reversal Feb. 19, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz told reporters that a Joint Strike Fighter cost overrun is "possible, maybe even likely."

»This is only a few short weeks after he expressed more optimism that a breach of the Nunn McCurdy statute was not likely. Apparently, like Defense Secretary Robert Gates said during his Feb. 1 budget briefing, Schwartz says he now knows more about the program.»

Ensuite, Amy Butler examine quelles peuvent être les conséquences de cette infraction du JSF, qui semble acquise. Elle termine par ces remarques étonnantes de Schwartz, qui semblerait bien s’étonner qu’il n’y ait pas eu une purge à la tête de Lockheed Martin. Et puis, elle fait elle-même une prévision peu rassurante…

«Gates has fired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Heinz ... and his replacement, a three-star admiral, is coming. But, Lockheed has not changed its management structure – Tom Burbage and Dan Crowley. During his press briefing Friday, Schwartz said that “Dan Crowley doesn't work for the SecDef,” but that “he's short $600 million,” referring to Gates's withhold of $614 worth of award fee from the company for its poor adherence to the test schedule and production of flight test assets. Schwartz did not, however, call for a change in leadership at Lockheed. “What occurred with the F-35 program was only a start,” though, he said.

»What could happen after a Nunn McCurdy declaration, however, would be to catch the interest of a lawmaker who could order a full review of the program. Remember what happened with the USAF plan to lease tankers to Boeing in 2001-2002 and what that sparked. One inquisitive lawmaker could put a major strain on the program.»

Chandernagor