National Security Reform Program

Despite repeated cost overruns, Congress continues to spend billions of dollars on ineffective weapons programs. The individual weapons are sometimes completely redundant, often inadequately tested in development, and ultimately, always unnecessary.

Plans for the F/A-22 Raptor jet fighter, a relic from the Cold War-era, should have been scrapped a long time ago. Likewise, the makers of the V-22 Osprey aircraft should have lost their contract after chronic overspending, mechanical problems, and catastrophic failures resulted in the deaths of 23 Marines. Similarly, the Joint Strike Fighter, Crusader, and F/A-18 Super Hornet should be canceled in favor of other, more cost-effective alternatives.

Resources

• April 18, 2005 -- Letter to the Senate from TCS and the Project on Government Oversight: Support cancellation of the C-130J
• September 20, 2004 -- The C-130J, overcost and behind schedule
• February 23, 2004 -- Pentagon expected to announce cancelling of the Comanche program- TCS fact sheet
• Read about the Boeing Tanker Deal
• May 20, 2003 -- TCS Action Letter to the Senate: "Cut Waste From FY04 Defense Authorization Bill" (V-22 Osprey; F/A-22 Raptor)
• April 11, 2003 -- Testimony of Stephen Ellis Vice President of Programs at Taxpayers for Common Sense before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform (F/A - 22 Raptor)
• February 21, 2003 -- Wastebasket Vol. VIII No. 8: 8 Ways to Trim the Fat (F/A -22 ; Osprey)
  
• November 15, 2002 -- Wastebasket Vol. VII No. 46: Jettison a Jet Fighter (F/A - 18 Super Hornet, F-22, JSF)
• June 7, 2002 -- Crusader: The Weapon That Can't Be Killed
  
• May 10, 2002 -- Wastebasket Vol. VII No. 19: Is It Possible to Cancel a Weapons System? (Crusader)
  
• April 5, 2002 -- Wastebasket Vol. VII No. 14: An Idea That Won't Fly -- (JSF)