Pentagon reports weapon program cost overruns

[AGENDA21]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two multibillion-dollar Northrop Grumman Corp. projects -- the Global Hawk surveillance drone and a weather satellite system -- are running more than 25 percent over budget, the U.S. Defense Department told Congress on Friday in a filing that could lead to program cancellations.

Another Northrop project, a mini-submarine designed to deliver elite Navy Sea-Air-Land special forces, is being terminated because it, too, was running more than 25 percent over budget, the Pentagon said.

The department also told Congress that Lockheed Martin Corp.'s multiple launch rocket system, being co-developed with Britain, Italy, France and Germany, was more than 15 percent over budget. That is below the 25 percent threshold that risks cancellation but high enough to require congressional notification.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060407/pl_nm/arms_usa_costs_dc;_ylt=A9G_Ry3s6TZEcHIB_gsa.3QA;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

[pocket]

1. Global Hawk

the system that piloted those planes into the WTC.

Suuuure, it's being cut. It's just being taken off the books since it is already up and running.

[chicofaraby]

2. We've spent trillions on "defense" since WWII

And the one time we needed it, 9-11-01, it failed.

I want a better return on my investment.

[oneighty]

3. Mini subs for SEALS

Boy Mini subs have failed for every country to use them.

And what would they be used for?

What a waste of money.

180

[Solo_in_MD]

4. Its called Nunn-NcCurdy

And its not mandatory to cancel. There is little doubt that GH will be continued.

I am surprised about the mini-sub program being cancelled. They may have delivered some and simply cancelled the rest