Citizen Writers Fighting Censorship by Helping Americans Understand Issues Affecting the Republic.
A huge “tell” emerges in the Boeing FIA effort as a large number of parts are scrapped when tin is found in them, resulting in delays and cost. Does the government have the best available subject matter experts helping run the FIA program? Worst practices and cost continue.
Programs versus projects and the Peter Principle, worst practice in government where unqualified people promote into program management positions. When the process does not help, and the “professionals” are the problem.
How George Tenant became DCI, and Keith Hall Dir NRO: two former Senate Select Committee on Intelligence staff make good. The 4C1000 NRO History From 1962-1990.
NGA works requirements documentation and struggles with GEOSCOUT. The GAP Study Team finds a miracle in the Boeing proposal: the DNI makes a momentous decision.
FIA optical costs grow an order of magnitude, but schedule analytics barely estimate a 50% chance of delivery: but the IC funds projects at the expense of programs.
Red Sox break the curse of the Babe, Boeing proposes miracles in their proposal and the GAP Study focuses on the timing, extent and duration of the problem.
The Gap Study gains momentum, and we go down memory lane on a number of IC programs that exemplify how poor the acquisition record has been for a long time
FIA slips and cost overruns force DCI Tenant’s hand-he tasks the community to do a Gap Mitigation Assessment sparking a flurry of activity that will run through October 2002.
NRO FIA program struggles amid acquisition nuances and spiraling costs that wipe out a decade worth of promising technology programs from ~2004-2008 to pay the bill.
First 8 articles recap, Sputnik flies, U2 and SR-71 are developed, Corona project is the first space reconnaissance system, Doc’s space-time continuum is disrupted.
Digital imagery and digital signal processing become a “yuge deal,” the Army mans the DITB-DEMONS, and plans the TACIES System, later canceled by Richard Armitage leading to Desert Storm shortfalls.
Leaders versus managers in government, Blockbuster goes away, digital versus hard copy film challenges, firing directors impact the FIA procurement.
Clapper moves out on an Airborne Integration Plan; warfighter support is emphasized early on through tool investment, NIMA struggles to implement the plan.