the.com/defense contractors
companies that turn taxpayer fear into quarterly earnings, one billion-dollar bolt at a time.
means private firms that build weapons, jets, and military tech for governments under contract, usually at eye-watering markups.
from the model dates to gunpowder and cannon-makers, but modern defense contracting was forged in wwii, when washington needed planes and tanks fast and outsourced production to private industry, then never gave the arrangement back.
eisenhower warnedhe coined military-industrial complex in his 1961 farewell speech
cost overrunsf-35 program now projected to cost 1.7 trillion dollars lifetime
revolving doorpentagon officials routinely retire into contractor executive jobs
toilet seat lore1980s scandal exposed a 640 dollar military toilet seat
for instance
lockheed martin — builds the f-35, largest single weapons program in history
raytheon — makes patriot missiles used in ukraine and gulf wars
halliburton — logistics giant tied to iraq war reconstruction contracts
blackwater — private military contractor infamous for 2007 baghdad shooting