Future Combat: Bad Business

In 1999, the Army began the process of developing a vast network of new weapons systems. In 2003, product development began on what by then was known as the Future Combat System. So what's missing from the project -- whose costs could total $200 billion -- at this stage? Oh, only "the elements of a sound business case -- firm requirements, mature technologies, a knowledge-based acquisition strategy, a realistic cost estimate and sufficient funding," says GAO's Paul Francis. Other than that, everything's great.