Rapid Fire 2012-05-13: HASC FY12 Authorization Bill | DoD Cost Overruns

• House Armed Services Committee approves $690 billion defense authorization bill for FY 2012: among other things, the bill would 1) allow GE and Rolls Royce to continue development of the F136 engine for the F-35 fighter at their own expense, 2) continue funding production of the General Dynamics-produced M1 Abrams tank despite Army’s plan to suspend production for 3 years to save money, and 3) require DLA to develop a plan for a competitive supply chain for rare earth metals used in advanced weaponry. #3 will get easier, as new sites are coming on-stream.

• Pakistan launches an inquiry, tries to figure out how US Special Forces got within 40 km of Islamabad to kill Bin Laden, without being detected. This may offer a clue.

• Meanwhile: “Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has warned that continuing to work with the United States could imperil his government, unless Washington takes drastic steps to restore trust and win the hearts of Pakistanis.” President Obama could say much the same thing, in reverse.

Turkey Buying Used Saudi C-130E Hercules Planes

TuAF C-130s

Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review reports that the US State Department has approved the resale of 6 Saudi C-130E Hercules medium tactical transport planes to Turkey, green-lighting a deal that was struck in summer 2010. Under US law and the terms of its arms sales, State Department approval is required when reselling any American defense items to 3rd countries.

Turkey is reportedly buying the planes at a bargain price.