The Defense Department inspector general (DoD IG) opened an investigation March 22 regarding allegations made by former United Launch Alliance (ULA) vice president of engineering Brett Tobey, sister publication Defense Daily has learned.
Deputy Inspector General for Policy and Oversight Randall Stone’s letter says DoD IG is looking into Tobey’s remarks related to competition for national security space launches and whether contracts to ULA were awarded in accordance with DoD and federal regulations. Stone said the investigation was opened at the request of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter.
This investigation will include, but is not limited to, site visits, interviews and documentation review with DoD and ULA personnel, stone said.
Space News the week of March 14 posted audio that reportedly had Tobey accusing Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) of being in cahoots with ULA rival Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX). Defense News reported Tobey suggested ULA was working with the Pentagon to figure out a way to silence McCain.
ULA CEO Tory Bruno disavowed Tobey’s comments onTwitter. ULA spokeswoman Jessica Rye said March 22 in an email that none of the views, comments or inaccurate statements Tobey presented at his recent speaking engagement reflect the views, positions or direction of ULA. Rye said Tobey was no longer with the company.
ULA is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Boeing [BA].