U.S. Waived Laws To Keep F-35 On Track With China-made Parts

An anonymous reader sends this report from Reuters: "The Pentagon repeatedly waived laws banning Chinese-built components on U.S. weapons in order to keep the $392 billion Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter program on track in 2012 and 2013, even as U.S. officials were voicing concern about China's espionage and military buildup. According to Pentagon documents reviewed by Reuters, chief U.S. arms buyer Frank Kendall allowed two F-35 suppliers, Northrop Grumman Corp and Honeywell International Inc, to use Chinese magnets for the new warplane's radar system, landing gears and other hardware. Without the waivers, both companies could have faced sanctions for violating federal law and the F-35 program could have faced further delays."

Comments

Re:Russians too?

[Anonymous Coward]

"Components. American components, Russian Components, ALL MADE IN TAIWAN!"

Re: Don't imagine it stops there.

[glavenoid]

..but for a handful of $2 magnets (which if we did go to war with China could be found in stockrooms all across the US) who cares

I do. They're probably counterfeit magnets made out of melamine and lead paint, and they probably don't even have a south pole...