DoD’s acquisitions chief unhappy with weapons buying

John Young, the Pentagon’s acquisitions chief, said he is
unhappy with the military’s business of buying weapons.

{mosads}“I am not even sure I would give anyone a ‘B’,” Young
told reporters at the Defense Writers Group. “I am not happy with the business
and my management is not happy with the business.”

He added that he tends to be pretty “harsh” in his
assessments and that he would not give himself an “A.”

The Pentagon has had to deal with a number of high-level
fiascos, including issues with the Air Force’s new midair refueling tanker and
rescue helicopter as well as the Army’s armed reconnaissance helicopter.

While Young stressed that there are several programs
that are being carried out in an excellent manner, he noted that they don’t
get the same attention as those with problems.