Acquisitions
Acquisitions

When possible, integrating consumer technology can save money and reduce training time

In 2017, the Navy began the process of installing new controllers on Virginia-class submarines -- for all intents and purposes, Xbox controllers. The controller was not only intuitively easier for sailors to learn, it also was significantly cheaper -- to the tune of roughly $30 per panel as opposed to $38,000. Seeking further, similar integration can help save costs and reduce training time for servicemembers who grew up using similar technology.

The Problem

Readiness versus Waste

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    “If we are going to effectively tackle the long-term national security threat posed by our national debt, then we need to seriously examine how our defense dollars are being spent. Waste and inefficiency within the Pentagon not only contributes to our nation’s debt and deficit, it also diminishes the effectiveness of our nation’s armed forces."

    Dan Caldwell, USMC (ret.)
    Concerned Veterans for America
    Dan Caldwell, USMC (ret.)
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    “I'm concerned that our increasing fractious political process, particularly with respect to federal spending, is threatening our ability to properly defend our nation both in the short term and especially in the long term."

    Dan Coats
    Director of National Intelligence
    Dan Coats
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    “This guide is a much-needed first step toward encouraging politicians to consider all available options for substantive Pentagon reform. Our troops deserve better than broken bureaucracy, and politicians shouldn't fool themselves into thinking that throwing money at the problem is the solution."

    Capt. Dan Grazier, USMC (ret.)
    Project on Government Oversight
    Capt. Dan Grazier, USMC (ret.)