The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Organization: US Military
Project type : Development of a multi-role fighter aircraft and associated systems
Project name : F-35 Lightning II
Date : Jan 2021
Cost : $1.7T
Synopsis :
When procuring defense systems one of the key strategic decisions needing to be made comes down to 'quantity' versus 'quality'. Should you buy a smaller number of super h...
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Failed military project
Pink Uniforms
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
US Department of Defense – USA
Project type : Military aid
Date : Jun 2017 Cost : $28M
Synopsis :
The United States spends a significant amount of aid money supporting the military of allied countries. With the aim of stabilizing nations and ensuring global security, money is poured into training, equipment and consulting services. A significant amount of t...
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US Department of Defense – U.S. Air Force
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Department of Defense - USA
Project type : Integrated supply chain and logistics system
Project name : Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS)
Date : Nov 2012 Cost :$1B
Synopsis :
When you have 5,400 high-tech aircraft to deploy and maintain, plus 330,000 active personnel to coordinate, you have a major logistics problem on your hands! To manage those...
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Sanctuary of Mercy Church – Borja, Spain
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Sanctuary of Mercy Church - Borja, Spain
Date : Aug 2012
Cost : Unknown
Synopsis :
Granted, this is the smallest project in the catalogue, but it is a good illustration of one of the most basic building blocks of a successful project: the need for people with the right knowledge, skills and experience! Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) by Elias Garcia Martinez w...
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Swedish Navy
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Swedish Navy
Project name : Vasa
Project type : Military vessel design and development
Date : 1628 (filed under historical failures)
Cost : Unknown
Synopsis :
The Swedish Navy's new flagship sinks on its maiden voyage after completing less than 1 nautical mile. Due to the ship being top heavy a gust of wind was able to capsize the ship resulting in the ...
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US Army – Army Uniforms
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
US Army - USA
Project type : Design and deploy new uniforms
Project name : Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP)
Date : Jun 2012 Cost :$5B
Synopsis :
After several years of use the US Army elects to ditch its Universal Camouflage Pattern uniforms because they make troops easier to see rather than less easy to see. Designed to be a standard uniform that would pr...
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Department of Defence – Australia – Landing Craft
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Department of Defence - Australia
Project type : Design and development of naval vessels
Date : Feb 2011 Cost :$40M AUD
Synopsis :
Australian Defence Minister scraps a $40M project to build 6 new landing craft for use by the Australian Navy. The boats were to be launched from a larger transport ships (HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla) which are already in serv...
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Virtual Border
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Dept. Homeland Security - USA
Project: Secure Border Initiative Network
Project type : Virtual border control system
Date : Oct 2010 Cost :$1B
Synopsis :
The Department of Homeland Security refuses to renew a contract for the construction of a virtual border control system. Aimed at controlling the flow of drugs and weapons, the system was designed to levera...
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Marine One
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
US Navy
Project name : Marine One
Date : Jun 2009 Cost :$13B
Synopsis :
To allow for rapid and safe transport of the President and other VIP's, the US Government maintains a fleet of VIP transport helicopters. The current fleet of Sea King and Blackhawk helicopters was first deployed in the 1970's. Following the 9/11 attacks, the US Government decided tha...
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Department of Defense – Australia – Helicopters
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Department of Defense - Australia
Project : Seasprite Helicopters
Date : May 2006 Cost :$1.4B AUD
Synopsis :
Australian Navy first grounds (May 2006) and then scraps (Mar 2008) a fleet of 10 helicopters because of safety concerns arising from the avionics software used. The project involved the purchase of 10 second hand Seasprite helicopters that were first...
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