The delay marked the second time in two months that the Pentagon has put off the decision on beginning production of the F-22. The advanced integrated 3.0 avionics software, thought to be the F-22's toughest challenge, is required to be flown in two test aircraft although the criteria do not require the avionics to work, the report said. The Air Force said it expects to complete nine of the 11 criteria before the year's end. The POGO report said that not only should the minimal testing requirements be met before moving to production, but DOD should adopt higher standards requiring that all operational testing be completed before buying any airplanes.
Incomplete testing is fatal and extremely wasteful.
Jacques S. Gansler, who chairs the DAB, will leave hi DOD just two days after the decision to join the faculty of the University of Maryland, POGO points out. The Bush transition team has said it wants to undertake a immediate review of all tactical aircraft programs to determine whether or not DOD is spending too much on fighter aircraft. Inc. All Rights Reserved.