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> UAVs helped in just 2 percent of apprehensions on the southwest border. The audit came out just as DHS was asking Congress to give it $443 million for another
by roymurdock 11y ago
> UAVs helped in just 2 percent of apprehensions on the southwest border. The audit came out just as DHS was asking Congress to give it $443 million for another 14 Reapers, also called Predator Bs, which the agency received.
So we spent $360m (at least, probably more due to creative accounting cited in article) on spoofable, hackable, drones since 2005. Then, instead of waiting for an audit, Congress greenlights another $443 to purchase 14 more of the same 2% value added drones which were designed to carry out strike missions in Afghanistan.
Why?
- Wingman4l7 11y agoWhy do you think? Because that's what's on offer by the military contractors who have manufacturing plants in those senator's districts -- so that's what they buy. Or, if you prefer the faith-in-humanity answer: career politicians don't have an understanding of statistics.
- Wingman4l7 11y agoTo add to my other, now un-editable response: inertia may also play a role -- the existing procurement processes for the drones have already been worked out; it's probably a lot easier to make an additional order for the same product.