Friday, March 11, 2011

Report: Army wasting millions on untested, unneeded gear - News - Stripes

Report: Army wasting millions on untested, unneeded gear - News - Stripes: "To give soldiers every advantage on the battlefield, the Army is purchasing 181 high-tech communications kits at $800,000 a pop.

But the service is spending that money — nearly $145 million — for something that’s still in the test phase and may never make it to infantry units on the front lines of the future.

According to a Government Accountability Office report issued Wednesday, the Army wants to modernize its combat vehicles and improve battlefield technology, but doesn’t consider whether upgrades are needed, or the likelihood of fielding such expensive initiatives.

The report also questioned how the Army is carrying out a $40 billion plan to replace armored fighting vehicles in heavy and Stryker brigades."