waste of time and money

Submitted 10.12.11


I work for a unit that test new weapons for the Army to see if they are worth buying. Before every testing cycle we go to classes to learn how to use the equipment. One piece that we were slotted to test was a night vision camera that was portable and supposed to be set up on a small tower to further the range of vision. The system weighed in around 45lbs and cost over $120k a set. Keep in mind this is was designed to be carried up mountains for additional surveillance and security. During the general briefing on the equipment I asked the instructor, "Sir this only gives us 3 meters (about 10 feet) more visibility than the night vision scope our snipers use. In addition your camera system is 43lbs heavier, 8 times the size and cost, and is a huge signal to others that we are in the area when it is in use. Why should we even test this system?" The instructor really had no good answer to this question. I informed my command of all the time, money, and tired soldiers we could save by just not testing it as it is more of a liability than it is a help. But for some reason the officers in the high ranks (cough cough Col and above) seem to be very friendly with some of the contractors. Rumor has it that somebody is getting something out of forcing us to test such useless gear.