Smith and the C-27 decision

More here of how Defence selected the C-27. It does sound like a weak process.

"Selection of the C-27J for $1.4 billion appears to have been based largely on the RAAFs own desktop assessments. This effort falls short of a full evaluation process."

Airbus said it could have had planes ready for delivery in six months - not three years - and that they would have cost a third of what is going to paid for the C-27J.

Besides the way the procurement was done, was the value perceived by Defence worth 3 times the cost? Was it worth twice the cost?

Below is a cool video illustrating the multi-mission palletized system for the C-295 for use as SAR, ISR, and light cargo. Note: SAR/ISR was never stated in the Defence requirement.

Clarification on my previous post with C-295 endurance figures. When suited up as a dedicated ISR/ASW aircraft, the C-295 has 11 hours of endurance. Don't know what the endurance is with the palletized solution.

GAO releases Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs

The U.S. Government Account Office (GAO) has released their 2012 Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs.

This is a health report of various U.S. defense programs. I have included a summary of the 2012 F-35 portion for your convenience below.

Note that the average costs assume that the U.S. DOD actually buys 2300-some aircraft. Looking at how Congress has been authorizing buys, this seems unlikely. Also unlikely is anything resembling full-rate production.