'Joint' weapons are OK, but do they create jobs?

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Washington Pulse - Brief Article

The military services often are accused of being parochial and wedded tightly to their individual weapon systems, which slows down Pentagon efforts to field a "network-centric" force. The criticism may be unfair, however. More often than not, it is Congress and the budget process that make it tough to integrate weapon systems, some argue.

"When we talk to the Hill, they want to know 'where is this program being made?'" said Air Force Brig. Gen. (S) Richard Dinkins, who oversees...