
Rapid experimental prototyping of the sort that resulted in the SR-71 Blackbird and F-117 stealth fighter is the key to keeping major weapon system development programs on track, according to two prospective Pentagon weapon buyers.Tapped to become the first undersecretary of defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E), former NASA administrator Michael Griffin on Jan. 18 told the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) that prototyping should precede every major defense acquisition program.Too many programs fall victim to the “unseemly role”…