Boeing Co. and General Dynamics Corp. agreed to provide $400 million in goods and services to the U.S. to settle a 23-year-old dispute over a canceled multibillion-dollar contract for the A-12 stealth aircraft.
Full Answer
What is the history of the A-12 bomber?
The McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics team was awarded a development contract and the ATA aircraft was designated A-12. The first flight was initially planned for December 1990. The A-12 was named Avenger II in homage to the World War II -era Navy torpedo-bomber Grumman TBF Avenger.
Why did the A12 cost so much to build?
Technical difficulties with the complexity of the radar system to be used also caused costs to increase; by one estimate the A-12 was to consume up to 70% of the Navy's budget for aircraft. After delays, its critical design review was successfully completed in October 1990 and the maiden flight was rescheduled to early 1992.
What went wrong with the A-12 program?
A government report released in November 1990 documented serious problems with the A-12 development program. In December 1990 Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney told the Navy to justify the program and deliver reasons why it should not be canceled.
How many A-12s did the Air Force order?
In addition, the Air Force briefly considered ordering some 400 of an A-12 derivative. The A-12 was promoted as a possible replacement for the Air Force's General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, and for the United Kingdom's Panavia Tornado fighter-bombers.
Why was A-12 cancelled?
The development of the A-12 was troubled by cost overruns and several delays, causing questions of the program's ability to deliver upon its objectives; these doubts led to the development program's cancellation in 1991.
When was the A-12 cancelled?
7 January 1991The Navy's A-12 Avenger Advanced Technology Aircraft (ATA) was slated to replace current A-6s on aircraft carriers in the mid-1990's. But on 7 January 1991, Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney canceled the program, in the largest contract termination in DoD history.
How many a 12s were built?
A total of 18 aircraft were built through the program's production run.
What is the difference between A-12 and SR-71?
The A-12 is primarily an over flight vehicle unlike the SR-71. Its major advantages in capabilities to the SR-71 include its higher-resolution photography and its ability to go marginally faster (Mach 3.3) than the SR-71.
What is Boeing's contract with General Dynamics?
The Boeing Company, General Dynamics Corporation, and the United States have formally asked the United States Court of Federal Claims to dismiss, as part of a settlement, their 23-year old dispute involving the Department of the Navy's 1991 default termination of a $4.8 billion contract awarded to Boeing's predecessor, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, and General Dynamics, to develop the A-12 carrier-based stealth aircraft. Under the settlement, the contractors will provide aircraft and services to the military valued at $400 millionand the government will not pay any money in connection with the contractors’ claims against the United States. The settlement was authorized as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.
What is the government's litigation team?
The government’s litigation team was staffed by the Department of Justice, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, and the Department of the Navy’s Office of the General Counsel.
How much did the A-12 carry?
The A-12 was to have a weapons load of 5,160 pounds (2,300 kg). Beginning in early 1990 McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics revealed delays and projected cost increases.
Why was the A-12 program cancelled?
The development of the A-12 was troubled by cost overruns and several delays, causing questions of the program's ability to deliver upon its objectives ; these doubts led to the development program's cancellation in 1991. The manner of its cancellation was contested through litigation until a settlement was reached in January 2014.
What is the A-12 Avenger II?
The McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics A-12 Avenger II was a proposed American attack aircraft from McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics. It was to be an all-weather, carrier-based stealth bomber replacement for the Grumman A-6 Intruder in the United States Navy ...
What is the name of the A-12 Avenger?
The McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics A-12 Avenger II was a proposed American attack aircraft from McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics. It was to be an all-weather, carrier-based stealth bomber replacement for the Grumman A-6 Intruder in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Its Avenger II name was taken from the Grumman TBF Avenger ...
What aircraft did the Navy buy after the A-12?
After the cancellation of the A-12, the Navy elected to purchase the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which went on to replace the A-6 Intruder and the F-14 Tomcat. The Super Hornet uses the General Electric F414 turbofan engine, which is a modified variant of the upgraded F404 version developed for the A-12. The full-size A-12 mockup was revealed to the public at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in June 1996. The cancellation of the A-12 is seen as one of the major losses in the 1990s that weakened McDonnell Douglas and led to its merger with rival Boeing in 1997. After years of being in storage at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (formerly General Dynamics) facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the mockup was transported to Veterans Memorial Air Park adjacent to Meacham Airport in north Fort Worth in June 2013. (The park was later renamed Fort Worth Aviation Museum. )
How much of the Navy budget was spent on the A-12?
Technical difficulties with the complexity of the radar system to be used also caused costs to increase; by one estimate the A-12 was to consume up to 70% of the Navy's budget for aircraft.
When was the first A-12 plane made?
The first flight was initially planned for December 1990. The A-12 was named Avenger II in homage to the World War II -era Navy torpedo-bomber Grumman TBF Avenger. The Navy initially sought to buy 620 A-12s and Marines wanted 238. In addition, the Air Force briefly considered ordering some 400 of an A-12 derivative.
