According to a new Commerce Department study commissioned by the Navy the Pentagon comes up short when dealing with the rising tide of fake electronic components. The study, conducted from 2005 to 2008, found that among 387 companies and DOD organizations surveyed, 39 percent had encountered counterfeit parts. Commerce analysts believe the huge and unwieldy US supply chain exacerbates the problem, which grew—just in the electronics field—from 3,868 incidents in 2005 to nearly 9,356 in 2008. And, they say that “most DOD organizations do not have policies in place to prevent counterfeit parts from infiltrating their supply chain.” The head of the Defense Logistics Agency, Vice Adm. Alan Thompson told Washington-based defense reporters recently that he is concerned, adding that DLA is being “aggressive” in trying to stop fake parts from entering the US military supply system. (Commerce study, large file)
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…